Schumacher Ready for Action in New Ferrari

Michael Schumacher declared himself ready for battle on Monday when Ferrari unveiled the car that could take him to a record seventh Formula One title.

"I am ready. We are ready for the new challenge and the new year," the German said, joining teammate Rubens Barrichello and test driver Luca Badoer in showing off the F2004.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, whose team start the new season in Australia on March 7 chasing a sixth successive constructors' title, applauded his brevity.

"When drivers don't say much it's a good sign. When they talk too much they invent things," he declared. "How they drive is what matters."

There were no surprises with the new car, which looked very similar to last year's, with the exception of the higher airbox and larger rear wing in accordance with new regulations. But Ferrari bosses said appearances were deceptive.

"No radical changes have been made but interventions have been done in depth," said designer Rory Byrne.

"Many new components will be introduced during our test programme in February so the car we will race in Melbourne will look different in many areas to the one you see here," he added.

"Once again this car represents another significant step in performance and I am proud to say that this is the best Ferrari we have produced...so far," said technical director Ross Brawn in a prepared speech.

"Our analysis of the 2003 season has highlighted the areas where we were strong and those where we were weak," he added. "We did not react aggressively enough to the opportunities presented by the 2003 regulation changes and for 2004 we have worked to ensure that we will not make the same mistake."

Record Year

Schumacher, 35, is starting his ninth year with Ferrari, a record for a driver with the team, and is contracted to the end of 2006 along with Barrichello and core team staff.

The German was pushed right to the end of the Championship last year before claiming his record sixth crown and nobody at Ferrari on Monday was expecting it to be any easier this year.

"We want to win but now it is more news when Ferrari are beaten than when they win," said di Montezemolo. "We will try to give as little news as possible and win as often as we can. It's going to be a hard fight and a difficult year. But I want to have the same conclusion."

"Our stability is our strong point," said sporting director Jean Todt. "We have a very solid group of confident, skilled people. This makes me think we have everything we need to reach our target."

Brawn said the new car had passed its mandatory FIA structural tests last Friday and a second chassis would be on the track by next month.

The new car will run for the first time at the end of the week, with Schumacher at the wheel and testing will then continue at Mugello, Imola and Fiorano in February.