Schumacher Surprised by Dominance

World Champion Michael Schumacher has revealed that he and his Ferrari team began the season in a negative state of mind because they feared their domination of Formula One could be at an end.

Schumacher held onto his world title by just three points last year after a nail-biting world title decider with Finnish McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen in the final race of the season in Japan. McLaren and rivals Williams-BMW were both tipped before the start of the 2004 season to close the gap on Ferrari and end the Italian team' reign at the head of the field.

Instead of being caught up by the pack this season, Schumacher has bolted ahead of his rivals with his Ferrari team helping him to six wins from seven.

"I am very surprised because at the beginning of the season, January, February time, we were very pessimistic for the season," said Schumacher. "We saw very strong opposition but for whatever reason we have gone up since that time and they sort of stopped. I am quite happy because we have a strong package that everyone respects and we have worked very hard with it."

As well as seeing off challengers from rival teams, Schumacher has also blown away Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello this season, outqualifying him every time and only being bettered at the Monaco Grand Prix when he crashed out and Barrichello finished third.

With a stunning record of five wins and four poles in the last seven races at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Schumacher is favourite for victory again this weekend. But the German driver insists he has not consciously increased his efforts this season.

"I don't think I am doing anything extra to what I did in the other years. I have always been 100 percent," he said. "I don't think drivers don't tend to be able to make such a difference, but we have worked very hard in the team to have such a strong car and this current performance is the result."