Schumacher: Ferrari better than it seems

Although the former world champion was able to challenge for victory in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, engine troubles and poor tyre choices cost the team any chance of fighting at the front in Malaysia and Australia.

And despite Schumacher crashing out in Melbourne as he tried to overcome tyre difficulties, he is upbeat about the team's prospects for the rest of the season.

"We are certain that we are in better shape than may appear from the outside," he said on Thursday. "The potential is there; now we have to improve even more and be consistent.

"We are working towards this with our development programme. At Imola there will be many new features that we are testing at the moment. As we all know, Formula One can be a crazy world but we should try not to be caught up in it all."

Ferrari are introducing upgrades to the engine, aerodynamics and suspension of their 248 F1 for the San Marino Grand Prix and, following the first tests of the developments at Vallelunga in Italy last week, Schumacher is satisfied with the progress.

"We are full of hope. Last week's tests went according to plan and this is always a good sign in our sport. Things are fine on the team: everyone is pulling in the right direction and we all want to win. The beginning of the European season should coincide with the start of our drive for the world title."

And Schumacher has hit back at critics who claimed his crash in Australia was the result of him pushing too hard.

"I note with some amusement that my so-called 'sources' know exactly how I feel on a day-to-day basis," he said. "This is ridiculous. I will continue doing what I do as I have always done, with great enthusiasm, a will to win and I will enjoy it. This is a sport and we have to attack and take risks if you want to win."