Schumacher Not Expecting to Clinch Title in France

World Champion Michael Schumacher said on Thursday that he is not expecting to clinch his fifth title at this weekend's French Grand Prix.

"We know if and what needs to happen, but it is not a major focus for me this weekend," said Schumacher today in France. "Honestly, I don't expect to win it here. I will race as normal, trying to win the race.

"At the end, we can look at the result. The important thing is not whether it happens here or later as long as it does happen."

Ferrari driver Schumacher leads the Championship with a massive 54-point lead over Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello, who is one point ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya and two in front of the Colombian's Williams teammate Ralf Schumacher.

Four-time champion Schumacher, winner of seven races this season, must increase his lead by six points in order to clinch the title on Sunday, meaning that if he wins the race, Barrichello and Montoya should fail to finish in the top three.

Having finished all ten races this season, not missing out on a single podium finish, Schumacher is the clear favourite to score his sixth win at the French Grand Prix, and more so after a dominant victory in Britain two weeks ago.

At the Silverstone circuit, the German and his teammate benefitted from the superiority of their Bridgestone tyres in the wet to outpace their Michelin-shod rivals. On Thursday, Schumacher said that one of the main reasons for their advantage this season is the performance of the tyres.

"I think we have a better car but the rest of the difference is down to the tyres and it depends which tyre company has got the best tyre for each track," he added. "I hope we have the right one here. We had a very good test with Bridgestone last week and I think we have a good tyre for Magny-Cours.

"As the only top team using their tyres, we have a big workload and it is possible that we can miss something, which would not be the case if there were two top teams. On the other hand, the tyres can be more specific to our needs. But the other teams on Bridgestone are also doing a good job and making the tyres work for them."