Each title fight has its own character - Schumi

The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Media Motorhome has never been as crowded as it was this afternoon in the Monza paddock. The reason was that, despite making it clear that no announcements about driver or other plans would be made until after Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, the world's press seemed to expect Michael Schumacher to make some sort of statement today.

But 15 years in the sport teaches you a few things about how to deal with the press and Michael started his usual Thursday briefing by making it clear that he would not divert from the plan. "We have organised everything so that we can just concentrate on this race. The main focus is to race and drive with nothing else to cause any extra disturbance," said the seven time world champion, adding as a joke, "and I think this situation is going to be more of a distraction for you than for me! I am very much looking forward to this grand prix, which like all these last four is crucial for the championship." Schumacher had been happy with the last week's test, but reckoned it would be a close contest over this weekend. "We had three good days here at the test, but we also saw that it is very close between the top teams. Now it will be a case of seeing which of us can make the best of the conditions as we find them this weekend, although I don't think it will be very different to when we tested. If we get it right, it will be a great opportunity for us." When the teams tested here last week, it was their first chance to drive on the track since several parts of it had been resurfaced. "I don't know if this will be an advantage for us and our Bridgestone tyres," commented Schumacher. "But the surface is now smoother and offers more grip and it makes Monza less of a compromise and more predictable to drive."

As for the overall race to the titles, Schumacher had this to say: "It will be very close and I expect the decision to go all the way to the last race of the season. In that time, both ourselves and our closest rivals will continue to improve our package so it will be a case of seeing who does the best job." The Ferrari man has now been in so many fights for world titles, including the seven he won and others that escaped him, often at the final hurdle. He was asked which ones he remembered most fondly. "The good ones I think were mainly those when I was fighting with Hakkinen, in 2000 of course, but also the ones before them with him when I did not win. Each title fight has its own character, so let us see how this one ends. Would I prefer a fight or would I prefer to win easily? Well, fighting is beautiful and winning is beautiful, but we do not live in an ideal world," was the German's final (and enigmatic) remark of the afternoon.