Schumacher Aiming for Home Victory

World Champion Michael Schumacher is aiming to prove doubters wrong on his home soil in Germany this weekend after failing to step onto the podium at the British Grand Prix last week.

Schumacher finished fourth for Ferrari in the Silverstone race, losing a point to McLaren-Mercedes Championship rival Kimi Raikkonen. The German driver's teammate Rubens Barrichello lift the winners' trophy after scoring his first win of the season.

But the five-time champion is determined to win the German Grand Prix for his home fans this weekend despite claims that the new Hockenheim circuit will not suit the F2003-GA.

"Many people believe that Hockenheim will not be suitable for the Ferrari - but we would like to prove the opposite," said Schumacher.

"Last year this race, without question, was one of the highlights of the season for me. I had become the World Champion before it and so I could celebrate the title in Germany with all my fans. I was quite confident of my chances in the race.

"It is clear that I can hardly expect a similar situation this year and it will certainly be more difficult than last year. All of us at Ferrari are conscious of that - but it is certainly not impossible. We have made a step forward and we feel that we are well prepared, so we look forward to a close fight."

Schumacher still leads the World Championship but his advantage from Raikkonen is now just seven points while Ferrari are just 10 points ahead of Williams in the constructors' table.

Schumacher's brother Ralf, who has won two of the last three races, is now fourth in the title standings but has counted out his hopes of fighting his brother for the Championship this year.

"That is far from my thoughts," said the Williams-BMW driver. "Hockenheim is my home Grand Prix so I am concentrating on that and, hopefully, I can secure another win."