Schumacher vows to fight on
Michael Schumacher has issued a defiant message to Ferrari’s doubters, insisting: “I have not given up on the title.”
The seven-time world champion lost further ground on early leader Fernando Alonso as the debut of his new Ferrari turned into a disaster.
Despite being forced out with a mechanical problem as team-mate Rubens Barrichello finished ninth, Schumacher still has an eighth crown in his sights.
The 36-year-old said: “We shouldn’t be taken in by the first three races. The season still has a long way to go and there are 16 races left.
“A lot can still happen. As I have said, I expect to win races in the new (car). I have not given up on the title.
“We are in a good position going into the next races and we know that we can challenge for victory. I am convinced that we will win some races this season.”
Ferrari’s response to their poor start to the season will be to launch an extensive testing programme on their new car, which proved fast but fragile in Bahrain over the weekend.
Barrichello was plagued by gearbox trouble before Schumacher’s hydraulic problem but with an extended break before the San Marino Grand Prix on home ground at Imola, Ferrari expect to find solutions.
“Obviously we have to improve the reliability but we have proved in the past to be able to find the necessary consistency,” Schumacher added.
“I think that these are all positive signals and after only three of 19 races nothing is yet lost.
“In the three weeks until the next race at Imola we have to continue working hard, exactly as we did before.
“Seeing as this time we have a three-week break we can work harder than we usually do and this could work in our favour. I think that things will go well at Imola.”
