Preview: Schumacher, Ferrari in Party Spirits

Michael Schumacher and Ferrari can look forward to a party in the park with their home fans at Monza on Sunday after again winning both Formula One titles.

But, despite 12 victories in 14 races, the German has warned that the last European race of the season promises to be no picnic.

While Schumacher remains the clear favourite to give Ferrari a triumphant homecoming with a win in Italy, Kimi Raikkonen's success for McLaren in Belgium 10 days ago has changed the landscape considerably.

"Of course we're hoping to continue being as successful as we have been this season and to top everything at Monza," said Schumacher, who secured his seventh title with four races to spare by finishing second at Spa. "It is not going to be a walk in the park, we could see that during testing."

Williams and Renault were both quick in Monza tests last week while Schumacher's involvement ended prematurely on Thursday when a burst tyre pitched him into the barriers at around 300 kph. The German showed he had fully recovered from that accident with a crowd-pleasing "Ferrari day" demonstration at the Nurburgring last Sunday.

"This is our home race, and that is always an extra motivation," he said of Monza on his website. "And surely the tifosi (fans) won't let us down, they will turn up in large numbers. I can't guarantee that we'll win the race...but I can promise that, as always, every single one of us will go all out so that we can have a big party in the afternoon."

Raikkonen Confident

Raikkonen's win ended a 27-race barren streak for McLaren and the Finn believes he can win again before the year is out.

"Hopefully we will be up there at the front again," he said. "Monza has seen some real battles in the past and it would be nice to continue that trend this weekend."

With McLaren firing on all cylinders again, the pressure is on Williams - without a win since last year and just five points clear of McLaren in fourth place - to get their act together. Monza has been good to the BMW-powered team, with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya winning in 2001 and finishing second to Schumacher last year.

Montoya will be partnered once again by Brazilian stand-in Antonio Pizzonia in what is likely to be his last chance to step on to the podium before Ralf Schumacher returns.

"We should be able to perform well in Monza this year because the circuit suits our chassis and engine package and both Antonio and I like the track," said Montoya.

Renault's Jarno Trulli, on pole in Belgium and a winner in Monaco, remains Italy's best hope of a first home winner at Monza since 1966. BAR's Jenson Button, determined to move to Williams next year and increasingly at loggerheads with team boss David Richards, could also be a threat.

"Personally I'm hopeful that the Italian Grand Prix, our last race in Europe, will mark a return to the podium for BAR," declared Richards.