Schumacher Expecting Tough Season

World Champion Michael Schumacher expects to go through a tough time this season in order to retain his Formula One world title.

The Ferrari driver enjoyed a dominant campaign last year, and after scoring nine Grand Prix wins in 17 races Schumacher clinched his fourth drivers' crown with a massive points advantage over McLaren's David Coulthard, who was his closest rival all year.

But as the start of the new season moves closer, the German star is cautious and despite being the clear favourite to win again in 2002, he is expecting a tough battle with both Williams and McLaren, though he believes the Woking-based team could struggle due to their tyre switch.

"I expect it to be quite a tough season," said Schumacher. "I am sure we will be more than well prepared, but it is clear that our competitors have more room for improvements. I expect BMW-Williams to be even stronger than last year as they might have sorted out their problems, but I also see the McLaren-Mercedes being strong.

"However, they have changed supplier and I could imagine them having some difficulties in adapting, at least at the beginning."

Williams and McLaren will use Michelin tyres in 2002, while Ferrari have decided to stick with Bridgestone, and Schumacher is confident the Japanese manufacturer will deliver once more.

"My first impression is that we have made significant improvements through the development done by Bridgestone over the winter, which obviously makes us happy," Schumacher said. "Of course, we still continue to develop from what we have learnt in the meantime.

"To me, tyres is the biggest area for improvement compared to other areas of F1 this year, and as the people of Bridgestone are so determined, I am sure they come up with loads of new ideas and better versions."

Schumacher, who sealed the title in Hungary last year with four races left, admitted he was keen to start the year flying as he begins a quest for a record-equalling Fifth World championship.

"I was desperate to drive," Schumacher, who got back to testing before he was scheduled to, said. "I could not stand any more to be out of a car and not have four wheels around me. In the end I called Jean Todt and asked if there was anything for me to test a bit earlier than January 19, which was supposed to be my first test day this year."