Schumacher Expecting Tight Race

World Champion Michael Schumacher is expecting a tough battle against Jenson Button in tomorrow's San Marino Grand Prix.

Local hero Schumacher will start the race from second place after losing out to BAR driver Button in final qualifying at the Imola circuit. Ferrari's Schumacher had been on pole for the first three races of the season which he has also won.

"It's going to be a tight battle. It will be very interesting to see how the cars slot into the first corner," said the German, who has won the San Marino Grand Prix four times in the last five years.

Schumacher was quicker than Button through the first sector but a wobble in the second cost him dearly.

"The time I lost over that sector wouldn't have been enough anyway," he said. "He put in a very good lap. I anticipated they would go strongly here this weekend."

The German has won four times in the last five years at Imola. His Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello will start from the race from fourth position.