I don't deserve a holiday - Schumi

Michael Schumacher will return to testing at Jerez in Spain this week, shunning his traditional winter break in a bid to get Ferrari back into championship contention following their disappointing 2005 season.

Having totally dominated in 2004, Schumacher and Ferrari won just a single race this season, the six-car US Grand Prix. And having surrendered his drivers’ crown after a five-year reign, the German said he was not in the usual holiday mood.

Michael Schumacher "When I returned home from the last race in China, everything was somehow different. I felt no need for a vacation, I had no urge to rest. My preparations and training for 2006 began immediately."

Ferrari have already put in countless test days as they prepare for their 2006 campaign. Their new car is not yet ready, but Felipe Massa, Luca Badoer and Marc Gene have all been running the team’s new V8 engine in an interim F2004 M machine, and this week Schumacher will be back in the cockpit too.

"I have kept in contact with Maranello and they have regularly updated me about testing. I wanted to drive again and on Thursday and Friday I will - I am looking forward to it."

Ferrari’s test at Jerez this week will be their last of the year before they and all the teams break for Christmas.