Ferrari Mailing List: Interview with Michael

[Tom Reynolds (kjtar]

>From Autosport.com   (Emphasis added)     

"Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher believes Renault and 
BMW can improve this season and threaten Ferrari and McLaren at the top of the 
sport. 
Fernando Alonso has quit McLaren to return to Renault, who struggled last year 
having powered the Spaniard to the title in 2005 and 2006. BMW finished second 
last season after McLaren were stripped of their constructor points in a spy 
scandal.

"I would expect to see a very close fight between the two main teams but then I 
would see Renault and BMW able to close the gap and they may enter into the top 
two," the Ferrari consultant told reporters on Friday at the team's ski retreat.

The German also said Honda's recruitment of former Ferrari technical director 
Ross Brawn was a step forward.

"Ross is the perfect man to make Honda come back in the right direction because 
he is very capable. But it will take time," he said. Schumacher, who quit 
Formula One following the 2006 season after winning 91 Grands Prix in the most 
successful career of any driver, came out of retirement to test with Ferrari at 
Barcelona and Jerez late last year.

The 39-year-old said he would probably test again before the season opener in 
Melbourne on March 16 but again ruled out competing in Formula One even if Kimi 
Raikkonen or Felipe Massa were ever unavailable for Ferrari.

"It is pretty sure that at one stage I will go out in the car. If the team 
wants and it is not too much, then I'm happy to do this. It is probably more 
likely and makes more sense before the championship starts," he said before 
reacting with a blunt 'No' when asked if he would ever race again.

"I will come to some of the races, mainly European races. I don't like to 
travel too much," he added.

Former sporting director Stefano Domenicali has become Ferrari team boss for 
this season with Jean Todt stepping back to be chief executive of the overall 
company. Schumacher said the switch was positive.

"All the changes that have happened in the end have kept the group strong. I 
don't think they will weaken Ferrari they will improve the situation overall," 
he said. 

"Stefano is very experienced...and on top of that anyway he will have Jean at 
his side to support him anytime he needs."



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