Schumacher Sets Low Goal for Melbourne

World Champion Michael Schumacher has revealed that he would have preferred to start the 2002 season with the new Ferrari F2002 and that their aim for the Australian Grand Prix is to finish in third place.

The Italian team, who clinched their third consecutive Constructors' Championship last year, announced earlier this month that they would use the old F2001 for the season opening Australian Grand Prix on March 3, as the new machine has not yet been tested enough to ensure optimal reliability.

But Schumacher, who won the Australian Grand Prix last year, has said that it would have been better to start the year with the F2002 and revealed that he would be content finishing in third place in Melbourne.

"It would have been better to start the season with the F2002, as everyone else will start with their new cars, which are definitely faster, but maybe not more reliable," Schumacher was quoted as saying by Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

"At the first race there are often many retirements, but we have no doubts: our objective is to get three or four points, but also to be there to take advantage of any chance that might arise. It's a shame that we are running a bit late.

"In any case, I prefer not to make any prediction on the F2002. We won't be able to make proper performance comparisons with our competitors until Australia."