Schumacher optimistic for Monaco

"We think we can be optimistic for the race," said Schumacher on his website. "I think we'll be able to do well. But as I said before, I don't want to predict what's going to happen. It's very difficult to do that here because of the characteristics of the track.

"Monte Carlo is unique in that way. We have not tested our current car on a circuit that can be compared to here, and we haven't had any races on a track like this. So all we can do is try our best, as usual, and try to be up-to-date with everything.

"And also: everything can change here at the drop of a hat, depending on the outside conditions. That's what makes it so exciting."

Schumacher arrives at the principality race in second position in the championship, after finishing runner-up to Renault rival Fernando Alonso in the Spanish Grand Prix.

The German driver, a five-time winner in Monte Carlo, will be hoping to end a disappointing streak of results in the historic race. Schumacher has not won there since 2001.

And amid fears from some of his rivals that qualifying in Monaco could be chaotic, the seven-time world champion has played down the importance of starting from pole position in the principality, and he believes the race can be won from lower starting positions.

"Lots of people think that the qualifying session could be equal to the outcome of the race, but I don't think so," he said. "Of course it would be a disadvantage to be too far back on the grid, and of course you can't afford to have a big gap to the lead.

"But if you manage to avoid that happening, there's a lot you can achieve by having the right strategy if you're not on pole position. It's much more important to have a good strategy in place and a fast car.

"And there's absolutely chances of winning from position three, four or five."