Schumacher Targets Fifth Title

German Michael Schumacher has set his sights on equalling Juan Manuel Fangio's record five world titles this season - to reward the team for the work on the new F2002.

Schumacher lifted his fourth world crown in dominant fashion last year as he won nine races, and the 33-year-old claimed that emulating Fangio's achievements is his target for the new season.

"It would be great to achieve number five because of all the effort we put into the new car," Schumacher said at the launch of the F2002 at Ferrari's Maranello base. "But we still have to go on to win the Championship."

Schumacher said that winning a fourth world title has not forced him to rethink his future and that he still goes into every Grand Prix with the same desire to win.

He surpassed Frenchman Alain Prost's record of 51 career wins last year and also set a new points record for the 2001 season. He also became the all-time record points scorer in Grand Prix racing at Suzuka.

"I have records and it's nice to look at them, but when you've achieved a record, what is there left to do?" Schumacher said. "I just enjoy driving. It's not that I want to achieve title number five, it's that I want to win each race and do the best I can and we will see how long that goes on."

Long-Term Challenger

Williams's Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya showed signs last season of emerging as a long-term challenger to Schumacher's dominance, but the German said he is relishing his title defence in 2002.

"I am happy to fight against anyone," he said. "If that's going to be a good fight, then I am looking forward to it.

"I have had many close fights and many close rivals over the years in Formula One. I've had good battles with Jean Alesi, with Damon Hill, obviously, and Mika (Hakkinen)."

While Benetton may have launched Schumacher on the road to stardom, he says his 1996 move to Ferrari lifted his career to another level.

"There is no other team that raises the emotions like Ferrari, to win with them is extraordinary," said the reigning World Champion. "That is one thing. But also the human relationships that have been built up since I arrived here. That is something I never experienced (before)."

Setting his targets for the new season is becoming somewhat routine for Schumacher but, nonetheless, he made it clear there was no room to relax.

"I am looking forward to doing the same as in the last two years - staying where we are is not easy to do."