Schumacher says title chances very good

The Ferrari driver is 12 points behind his Renault rival, with just four races to go, and knows he cannot take a conservative approach if he wants to stand a realistic chance of closing that gap.

However, after a positive test last week, he is bullish about the fight ahead.

"Our strategy has to be attack," said Schumacher on Monday. "We have to close the gap and the only way to do that is by consistently putting on the pressure and pushing hard.

"It's not the first time we've been in a situation like this and our experience will be of help to us. I think our chances of turning the championship around are very good. Lots of things can still happen in the remaining four races. I think we still have every reason to dream of winning both titles."

Schumacher is well aware that there will be off-track pressures on him at Monza this weekend because of the looming decision about his future.

Ferrari are due to make an announcement about their drivers on Sunday night, and Schumacher has said that he 'agrees' to this deadline to decide about his future. But, he is keen not to say any more until then.

"Of course I know that Ferrari's announcement is being eagerly awaited," he explained. "We announced last week that it will be made on Sunday following the race because we want to do our best in focusing on the race, and of course I'm sticking to this agreement.

"So all I can do is ask everyone to understand that I don't want to touch on that subject until next Sunday."