Schumacher Relying on 'Fantastic' Engine for Canada

World Champion Michael Schumacher believes his Ferrari engine can power him to victory at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix and help him forget his failure to win this year's Monaco Grand Prix.

Schumacher won the three races before the Monaco Grand Prix but could only manage a third place finish in the Mediterranean principality after a poor performance in qualifying. After travelling to Canada last week for a family break, he is relaxed and brimming with confidence that he can fight to regain the World Championship lead from McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen this weekend.

"Naturally our goal in Canada is to win, as we do in each race," said Schumacher. "We have a wonderful car and its advantages might show up in Montreal once again. You only have to look at our top speeds in the last race to see they are extremely encouraging.

"Canada is a race in which engine performance plays a role, and in this area we are top. I would even state that we already overtook other teams some time ago in this area. We have a fantastic engine."

Schumacher, who beat Scot David Coulthard to victory in last year's Canadian Grand Prix, has won five times in Montreal and has finished on the podium in eight of his 11 races at the circuit. But he admits he is baffled by his success at the circuit and said: "I like the race, although I would actually say that it is not a track that I would normally like.

"I like high-speed curves and Montreal does not have these. I cannot really explain why the race goes well for me. Perhaps it is because of the fact that I probably feel relaxed in Canada."