Ferrari F2001 launch: Schuey ‘even more ready’

Speaking at the launch of Ferrari's new car, the F2001, Schumacher joined in with the day's running theme: that he and Ferrari, despite taking both titles last season, are more motivated than ever before.

"A lot of people may feel that after winning the title, my motivation is less," he said, "but I was born for racing. I want to be at the limit all the time and it still gives me a lot of joy.

"I will say that I've got higher motivation for this season," he added. "My preparations are on schedule and it seems that the team is getting better and better all the time. I started my preparations a little earlier and that's the main difference."

But the triple world champion stressed that it would be harder in 2001 to better, or even match, his accomplishments off 2000, when he won nine Grands Prix and took nine pole positions en route to the title.

"Sure, I'm better prepared, but it will be tough to do more than last year," he said. "I think for the championship itself, this year you'll see a similar picture to 2000. But you'll see more teams winning races.

"It could be that Williams will be up there too, and I've also got a good impression so far from seeing teams like Sauber and Jordan in testing."

Schumacher is scheduled to give the F2001 its first shakedown at Fiorano tomorrow (Tuesday). The team is then pencilled in to test in Spain in early February. Schumacher and team mate Rubens Barrichello will do the bulk of the testing, pending test driver Luca Badoer's return from injury in mid-February.