Thursday June 15th, 2000

Michael Schumacher, Ferrari's world championship leader, expects a tough race against the McLarens of Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard in the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on Sunday.

"I am looking forward to the race and I expect it to be a lot tougher against the McLarens than it was in Monaco before my car developed problems," said Schumacher.

The German, who holds a 12-point lead in the drivers' championship, ahead of Coulthard and Hakkinen, was thwarted by a cracked exhaust pipe in Monte Carlo when dominating the race.

But the 31-year-old, chasing his fifth win of the season, said he was ready to secure his third victory in his last four starts with Ferrari on the smooth temporary circuit.

"Our car is very good on all types of track and even though Montreal is a lot quicker than Monaco, the Ferrari should work well there," said Schumacher.

"It's a track I enjoy very much as it has a good combination of fast and slow corners, but I hope that the organisers can do something about the esses to prevent dirt being kicked onto the track every time a car runs wide. That is what caught me out last year."

The biggest concern in the Schumacher camp is whether brother Ralf can compete in the race after he injured his left leg when his Williams crashed in Monaco.

The 24-year-old said: "The accident has caused the injury but the doctors are doing all they can to speed up the healing. I'm confident I can make it because Montreal is one of the best events on the calendar."

Hakkinen Confident he Can Win

Defending champion Mika Hakkinen is hoping for better luck after finishing sixth in Monaco where he had problems with his brakes and gearbox.

"It is my main aim to get back to the sharp end after my problems in Monaco," the McLaren driver said.

"The (Montreal) track has a street circuit feel but because it's used only once a year it is very dusty but I'm confident I can repeat the win last year."

Hakkinen won a chaotic race last year by heading off the determined challenge of Italian Giancarlo Fisichella in a Benetton.

The race was marred by the four appearances of the safety car, the last of which led the drivers through the chequered flag for the first time ever as the Finn earned one of his five wins of the 1999 season.

Team mate David Coulthard is on a run of five consecutive podium finishes, including wins at Silverstone and Monaco, and admitted he is intent on sustaining a challenge for the title with another victory in Canada.

"This is one of my favourite cities and I've been close here a number of times," said the Scot.

"My strategy is to continue our winning streak and really go for it to keep up the pressure on Michael (Schumacher)."

The McLaren team will be determined to mark a momentous milestone of 500 world championship races with a win on Sunday.

Villeneuve Looks for Home Win

British American Racing's Jacques Villeneuve will be hoping to secure a home win on the 4.42-kilometre circuit, situated on a man-made island in the middle of the St. Lawrence Seaway, which is named after his father Gilles.

"I always look forward to Canada and what you need to win is a powerful engine and good brakes," Villeneuve said.

"We can be pretty strong in both departments so I think we can begin to show some improvement. I hope we can put in a more competitive performance than the one we showed in Monaco."

Williams driver Jenson Button makes his debut on the circuit and insisted he is well-prepared for the race after a successful test in Monza.

"We spent three days in Italy preparing for the race and given how well the Monza test went for me, I feel good for Montreal," Button said.

"Like Monza, Montreal will probably be hot and heavy on both the cars and drivers but with the time I've spent studying on- board footage I'm quite upbeat about my chances."

All the competitors on the 22-strong grid will be eager to make a good start, as the short starting straight which leads up to a tight left-hand bend has often caused multiple shunts in recent years.

The circuit is a low downforce track with many heavy braking areas which gives drivers the best opportunity to gain position on the track.

But with power and handling the two major factors in the race, Ferrari and McLaren are expected to continue their intriguing battle as the championship enters its eighth round.