Schuey backs rule changes

The tyre war between F1's current suppliers Bridgestone and Michelin, added to the ever-present pace of technical development in the sport, meant that once again there was a huge jump in lap times during 2004. At certain circuits this amounted to as much as a three-second-per-lap time reduction over the previous season. This was a catalyst for the FIA's push for sweeping changes in the sport earlier this year.

"In general, slowing the cars down is a step in the right direction," Schumacher told his official website. "If you look at the last race in Brazil, 90 per cent of the drivers were unable to keep their heads straight because the pressure on the neck-muscles has increased tremendously.

"Formula 1 is developing so quickly," he added. "If you don't put an end to that, you will get to the point where it becomes unsafe. And also, this way the costs are decreased."

Schumacher, as usual, is not expected to begin testing for Ferrari until after the team's traditional annual ski weekend at Campiglio in Italy next January. The seven-time world champion once again insisted that he is not considering retirement.

"I am still very much devoted to motorsport and think I will carry on driving for a while yet," he said. "After all, I still feel like I can compete."

Having said that, he admits he is not taking for granted Ferrari's recent superiority in F1 and claims that an eighth world title is not his main motivation for continuing in the sport. "To me, it's not about how many titles I win," he said. "It's always just about the next race. Winning a championship title is a nice experience, but I don't make plans on how many more titles or races I want to win.

"After winning the most important titles for Ferrari and myself in 2000, anything that follows that is a plus and is fun."