Schuey dismisses premature title talk

The Ferrari ace has a 31-point lead over McLaren's David Coulthard, with seven races still to run and 70 points up for grabs, beginning with this Sunday's British GP. If Schumacher wins at Silverstone and repeats the feat at Hockenheim on July 29th, with Coulthard failing to score on either occasion, the German will be the champion with five races to spare. But Schumacher is dismissive of such a scenario.

"It's a very theoretical situation, and I'm not into that honestly," he said. "I'd rather be a little bit more realistic, and Coulthard twice retiring? I don't think that will happen. And on the other side, that I would win the two races is not necessarily the case, so we will take it as it comes.

"There is no reason to make statements about 'ifs', because we have too many 'ifs' in F1. I would rather talk about realistic situations and truths."

Schumacher also stands to shatter several long-standing records in the near future, but again refuses to think beyond the next race. If he wins at Silverstone, he equals Alain Prost's record of 51 GP wins - and victory at Hockenheim would move him into a league of his own. Four more wins from the seven remaining races would also give him the most in a single season - 10.

"I might think about it, yes, but not in the way you'd like to hear now," he said. "It's a second priority. I'm looking forward to try and win as many races as I can, and whatever will be at the end of the story, I will look back to."

Schumacher was fourth quickest after Friday's pair of free practice sessions, but did not attempt a representative time in the second session. Coulthard is second fastest, behind team mate Mika Hakkinen ahead of Saturday's single qualifying session.

For full Michael Schumacher Q&A, click here.