Schumacher: 3rd Place Important to Ferrari

Although the Maranello outfit have fallen short of high expectations this year, and have won only one race, Schumacher thinks that finishing best-of-the-rest behind McLaren and Renault this year would be no embarrassment.

"The value of the team is very important to us", said Schumacher, who will be testing at Paul Ricard later this week. "We would like to keep third place.

"Losing it would not be very nice, not only for the pitlane position next year but above all for the image of the Scuderia. Coming third in a year like this one would not be at all bad."

Schumacher's confidence about the team holding onto third place is based on a more competitive showing from the team in Brazil, where he was able to hold off Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella for fourth place.

"We certainly saw an improvement. It was easier to close the gap on this circuit and we stayed ahead of BAR, Toyota and there was still a Renault behind us. Unfortunately, we were not in a condition to win but it was a step in the right direction.

"As I have already said, we would like to find a solution before the end of the season, putting us in a position to go on the attack again during winter testing."