Schumacher not making predictions

Schumacher was sidelined in the final part of qualifying after being hit by a fuel pressure problem, the German being unable to set a time.

The German will start from tenth position.

Schumacher needs to win in order to have a chance of winning the drivers' title, but he has been left with a mountain to climb following his problems.

Renault rivals Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella will start ahead of him.

"Of course it is quite difficult and more difficult because of these 10 positions," said Schumacher. "We have to wait now and see how the race develops. We need to try to get the best out of the situation.

"I don't know what we can do. I don't know how the race will develop. It is hard to predict something, but I will try my best.

"It is much more difficult starting from tenth but of course I will try."

Schumacher said he was disappointed because Ferrari's chances had been hindered, and insisted he was not thinking of the drivers' crown.

"I didn't think about the drivers' championship but I was hoping for the constructors' and scoring as many points as possible. That is why I am disappointed.

"It is obvious I am not happy about this. We had a technical problem in Japan and a technical problem here again. It is sad that it was two races in a row."