Schumacher Says He is Still on Course for Sixth Title

Michael Schumacher says he is still favourite to win a record sixth Formula One title this season even if Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya seems to have the momentum.

With four races to go, including Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, Colombian Montoya is just six points behind Ferrari's Schumacher-- who has not won since Canada in June.

This time last year, Schumacher had secured the title and went on to win a record 11 of the 17 races in a season of rare dominance. Ferrari, with Rubens Barrichello leading the way, were triumphant at the Hungaroring last year but the pair have yet to finish one-two in 2003.

Montoya meanwhile has had six successive podium finishes, winning in Monaco and at the last German Grand Prix where he crossed the line more than a minute ahead of all rivals.

"I had my momentum earlier, now he (Montoya) has the momentum," Schumacher told reporters. "I believe we will be able to turn around the situation, although it might look difficult now, to the end of the year to our advantage.

"I feel that we had a tough time so far but good times will come back," he said.

The World Champion also commented on governing body the FIA's decision to reduce a 10-place qualifying penalty on his brother Ralf - Montoya's team mate and a title contender himself - to a $50,000 fine.

"I think it is good," he said. "I would have thought (the place) penalty would have been a little exaggerated."

With Williams only two points behind Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship, Michael's team would have stood to benefit more from Ralf starting down the grid at a circuit where overtaking has been rare in the past.

Schumacher declined to comment on whether he expected a better performance from Ferrari's tyre supplier Bridgestone this weekend than at Hockenheim, where a flat tyre in the closing laps of the race cost him five places.