Schumacher Not Ruling Out Title

World Champion Michael Schumacher remains confident about his chances of winning an eighth Formula One title this year even though he is a distant third in the drivers' standings with nine races left

"I haven't written off the title," Schumacher was quoted as saying on Wednesday in an interview with Auto, Motor Und Sport newspaper. "We're not as far away as many people think."

Germany's Schumacher has 40 points in his Ferrari and trails leader Spain's Fernando Alonso, in a Renault, by 29 points. Schumacher is also behind McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen of Finland, who has 45 points.

"I sense we're on the rise and I'm confident that we'll soon be right up front again," Schumacher added. "It's now going to depend on who can take points away from Alonso. McLaren is very strong.

"If we're capable of beating them, then they could help us as the buffer in front of Renault."

Schumacher added that strategy obviously would not work if Alonso, who has won five of the season's 10 races and finished first ahead of Raikkonen and Schumacher at the French Grand Prix on Sunday, kept winning.

"If Alonso keeps finishing with firsts or seconds it's going to be difficult," he added.

Schumacher, who has won more races than any driver in Formula One history, will be seeking his 85th victory on Sunday at Silverstone.