Schuey puts crisis of confidence behind him

Reports in an Italian newspaper suggested that Schumacher had considered throwing in the towel after an emotional weekend of highs and lows in Italy. The Ferrari ace equalled the late Ayrton Senna's total of 41 Grand Prix victories, but at the same time fire marshal Paolo Ghislimberti was killed by an errant wheel during a first lap accident.

While Schumacher admitted the notion of quitting was a genuine if fleeting consideration at the time, it was almost immediately dismissed by the 31-year-old as a knee-jerk reaction to extreme pressure.

"I really thought about quitting - I think you always do in extreme moments like this," said Schumacher. "The feeling can last a minute, a week, a month, but then I began to work again because I enjoy what I do. To work well, you have to enjoy what you do."

Schumacher currently lies second in the championship, just two points behind McLaren's Mika Hakkinen with three rounds still to go. The Ferrari team spent three days last week testing at the Mugello circuit in preparation for this weekend's race on the part oval, part road course Indianapolis circuit.

"We will arrive in the USA well prepared, having tried various scenarios [in testing] which we could encounter," said Schumacher. "I have never had problems adapting to a new track, so I don't see why this time should be any different. I'm looking forward to going there."