Feature: Schumacher Set to Banish Dark Memories

Michael Schumacher is set for a Ferrari celebration on Sunday, a year on from a dark weekend at Monza when the Formula One World Champion contemplated walking out.

Last year the German arrived at Ferrari's home track in no mood for racing after the horror of the September 11 hijack attacks on the United States. With his thoughts far away from the Milan circuit, Schumacher's unease grew as news filtered through from Germany of the near-fatal race crash that cost popular Italian racer Alex Zanardi both his legs.

"It was a key period in my life, with the attack on the Twin Towers and Alex Zanardi's dramatic accident," he recalled in an interview with Italian television this week.

"It was difficult to get back into the car and to drive again as if nothing had happened. I didn't feel like it and I would rather have been anywhere else than driving. I felt like it was a bad sign to be driving at Monza after what had happened."

A marshal had been killed at the circuit the year before by flying debris and there was a real sense of foreboding that something else could go catastrophically wrong.

Schumacher, his fourth title already secured, steeled himself and finished fourth, slipping away after the race and doubtless relieved to be avoiding the mandatory news conference that awaits the top three.

Favourite Again

That race remains exceptional in the German's recent career, the last time that he has been off the podium and the only time since 2000 that he has finished a race outside the top three.

In all the rest of 2001, barring two retirements, Schumacher finished 14 times in the top two. This year he has won a record 10 races, been second three times and third once.

Schumacher clinched his record-equalling fifth title in July and, after six Ferrari one-two finishes this season, aims to give his loud and loyal fans something to shout about in the last European race of the year. The Italian team have won 12 of the 14 races so far and will be favourites to win again, despite the German's natural caution.

"It would certainly be presumptuous to expect a double victory for Ferrari, even though we can, of course, promise our tifosi (fans) that we will do all we can and will do our best," he said on his website this week.

"I certainly wouldn't have anything against another party as it is always good to give something back once a year to those people who support us through the whole year."

Schumacher has broken a series of records this season and can claim another, for the most points scored in a single Championship, on Sunday merely by finishing fifth. He currently has 122, one less than his own 2001 record.

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya won at Monza from pole last year for the only win of his Formula One career to date and he would relish a first chance to spray the winner's champagne after the muted podium of 2001.

Teammate Ralf Schumacher was third and the fastest circuit on the calendar should suit the Williams' BMW engine.