Schumacher rubbishes collusion fears

The Scot told a news conference that the new qualifying regulations could encourage inter-team orders, with smaller teams qualifying deliberately light to start high up the grid and then strategically block certain other cars.

But Schmacher has called such tactics unfair, and has said that he does not see why they would happen. "It would be a very unfair tactic," said the world champion. "I can't see why other teams would interfere, they have their own interests."

Media speculation had cited Ferrari as the most likely beneficiary of inter-team orders, with the Sauber and Minardi teams both having links to the team. Sauber use Petronas-badged Ferrari engines, while Minardi is a regular visited to Ferrari's private Fiorano test track.

"It is a surprise to hear that if a team like Minardi test on our circuit they are aligned with Ferrari," said Schumacher. "If you want to say things you can always say things but at the end of the day everybody will want to do their best."