Schumacher predicts tough battle

Using the new F2002, the championship leader set the pace in the opening session of free practice, but dropped down to fifth by the end of the day, behind both Williams and Coulthard's McLaren.

"This is the first time we have run the new car on this track, so we are learning all the time," he said. "It looks as though we should see a good battle this weekend with myself and Rubens (Barrichello) fighting the Michelin runners, especially as McLaren seems more competitive here than in the first two races."

Unusually, Michael had spins in both sessions, and only just avoided damaging his car when he went off at Turn 1. He praised the safety improvements made to the circuit, without which he said he would have crashed.

"The changes to the run off areas are very good. If they had not been made I'm sure I was have hit the barriers quite hard."