Brundle: Irvine hopes boosted

The former Benetton ace, who partnered Schumacher in the early 90s, believes the Ferrari driver's presence will heap more pressure on championship rivals Mika Hakkinen and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

'Everyone else is in the groove, hardened by a season of racing, working to their own agendas, and they will not welcome his return,' said the ITV commentator.

'Hakkinen and David Coulthard at McLaren suddenly have more trouble than expected, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, still in with a chance of the title, will not take kindly to a possible interference to his chances.

'Michael was obviously quick around Fiorano, Ferrari's private track last week, and I think he will quite easily get up to speed for the one-lap wonders, the qualifying runs, which should see him return to the front for the start of the race.'

Brundle also believes that Schumacher's input on race day will boost Eddie Irvine's chances of becoming Ferrari's first world champion for 20 years.

'They (Ferrari) miss Michael's input,' added Brundle.

'There is a constant changing of set-up all weekend and even on a Sunday morning they still seem to be searching for the car's sweet spot.

'It is a two-way thing. Michael is better in many areas than Eddie, but there are corners where Eddie is faster and plenty where he could brake later, get on the throttle earlier, and carry more speed. The overlay of information between them would move the team forward.'