MOTOR SPORT/Spanish Grand Prix: Michael Schumacher believes he can continue the winning ways he rediscovered at Imola a fortnight ago with the Ferrari's new car this weekend in Barcelona, despite a spate of embarrassing technical let-downs from the F2003-GA.
"We are all eager to see how the F2003-GA does on its debut. I think it was right to wait until Spain to go with the new car because we had to build up more data and gather crucial statistics. This always helps, though we can rest assured of the strong points of the new Ferrari," said the world champion, who took his first victory of the season at the San Marino Grand Prix, despite the death of his mother Elisabeth the day before the race.
"Getting back to winning ways really is a positive thing, even more so because we won in front of our own fans," added Schumacher. "The win showed that Ferrari is not in crisis and also means that we can look ahead to the next race with confidence."
Schumacher said the San Marino win had given him confidence that Ferrari's troubled season could finally hit the right gear after three flyaway races which yielded just one podium finish - and that for team-mate Rubens Barrichello in Malaysia.
"At Imola I had the impression we could repeat last year's trend: that our form could take off with the start of the European races. So I feel positive coming to Barcelona, even more so because we have done lots of tyre tests on the circuit. Usually at Montmelo it is important to find a balanced set-up, seeing as there are both slow and fast curves. My aim is to match the performance of the F2002 the first time out: that is, a victory."
Ferrari technical boss Ross Brawn insisted reliability problems with the car, most notably front suspension problems which after one spectacular failure left test driver Luca Badoer in hospital, have been eliminated.
"I am as confident as one can be when running a new car," he said. "The F2002 was a fantastic car, but it has reached the end of its development cycle. The new machine has already shown itself to be quicker."
McLaren's David Coulthard, however, insisted he felt unthreatened by the new Ferrari: "There is no question that when a team unveils a new car in a competitive situation it is hugely different to anything the team experienced during testing," he said. "I'm sure the team will have tested and tested the car but everything changes when they take the wraps off it in the race situation in Spain. There's bound to be areas which are likely to be fragile and that's where we at McLaren have to be ready to take full advantage.
"We've shown right through this season that our car is quick and reliable. In terms of outright pace there's still a gap to Ferrari but there's no point in having the quickest car that doesn't finish."
Meanwhile, Jaguar driver Antonio Pizzonia has said he feels no pressure despite rumours that the team is planning to dispense with him following the Spanish race and replace him with McLaren test driver Alex Wurz. "I feel I can be as good as anyone out there," said the 22-year-old Brazilian who has been regularly outperformed by team-mate Mark Webber. "I just need a bit of time."
However, Jaguar Racing MD David Pitchforth admitted talks have been held with Wurz.
"Everyone in the whole place is under review, whether they are laying up carbon fibre in the composite shop or driving. Whatever, they have to perform. I don't know (about Wurz). The decision has not been made yet."
