Schumacher Believes He Can Still Win

Michael Schumacher warned World Championship leader Mika Hakkinen on Thursday that the race for the Formula One title was far from over.

"The title is a long way from being lost," the German daily Bild quoted the Ferrari driver as saying.

"It will only be (over) once there is no longer any mathematical chance. Until then I will give it everything. I will turn things around, you just wait and see."

The German double world champion dropped six points behind his McLaren rival with four races left when he was beaten into second place by Hakkinen's masterful overtaking manoeuvre near the end of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

Schumacher is now looking forward to Ferrari's home race on September 10 in Monza, where he will rely on a new, more powerful engine.

"I clearly lost in Spa and I was very disappointed but I got over it," said the German. "The sun shines again after a rainy day. I have to win now, and I can do it."

He was confident he could stop Hakkinen from becoming the first driver to win three titles in succession since Argentina's Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957.

"I never said I was the best," said the 31-year-old Schumacher. "But I know what I'm capable of, and I can become world champion (again)."