Schumacher aims to halt Mika title bid

The German, who last won the F1 crown in 1995, is hoping to become Ferrari's first drivers' champion since Jody Scheckter in 1979.

McLaren's Hakkinen has won the title two years running, but the Ferrari driver is hopeful of winning the coveted prize in 2000.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper at the launch of Ferrari's new challenger on Monday, Schumacher said: "I am confident and optimistic Mika won't have it all his own way, although his McLaren will once again be our main rival.

"I just hope his car is not so good.

"The way things are looking, we should be in a position to win the first race and build on that, although this is a sport where anything can happen - look at last year."

Schumacher's hopes were dashed in 1999 after he suffered a double leg fracture following a high-speed crash in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.