Schumacher Encouraged by Pre-British GP Test

World Champion Michael Schumacher believes his Ferrari team will be competitive in this weekend's British Grand Prix come rain or shine after an "encouraging" test at Silverstone last month.

Schumacher, who dominated the series last year, has been outpaced by his brother Ralf and the younger sibling's teammate Juan Pablo Montoya in the Williams-BMW machines over the last two races.

The German ace has taken just one win in the last four races but he insists his season is set to turn around at Silverstone and remains confident of fending off the Williams challenge.

"After the encouraging test at Silverstone I firmly believe that we will be very competitive there," said Schumacher. "We will have some new parts on the car and to that extent we are confident. I like the Silverstone circuit.

"It requires a very good balance, even more than the Nurburgring, and I head to Silverstone with a good feeling. We are well prepared for all conditions."

Ferrari admitted after the French Grand Prix that they had been beaten fair and square by their rivals for the first time since their dominantly victorious season last year. But the Italian giants undertook a major three-car, four-driver test last week and will test again today as they attempt to close the gap on their rivals.