Schumacher: There's no pressure on me

Relaxed: Michael Schumacher
14 April 2012

Michael Schumacher has vowed to pour all his energy into securing a final Formula One world title before retiring.

Heading into Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix a mere two points adrift of rival Fernando Alonso, Schumacher is determined to finish on a high and land an eighth championship.

After winning four of the last six races, Schumacher is currently on a charge in his Ferrari, helping the team overhaul Renault in the constructors' championship and take a three-point lead.

With both titles up for grabs, the animosity between the two teams is likely to escalate over the closing three grands prix this year in Shanghai, Japan and Brazil.

Renault chief engineer Pat Symonds, who has previously worked with Schumacher, claimed this week Alonso handles pressure better than the 37-year-old German.

"Throughout his career, there have been many instances of Michael not performing to his potential when he has been under pressure," remarked Symonds.

With Schumacher hanging up his gloves in a month's time, Symonds added: "I think the pressure for him is greater than ever in these last three races."

And, after Alonso described Schumacher as "the most unsporting driver in the history of Formula One", it would appear Renault are trying to get under Schumacher's skin.

But Schumacher appears focused, and to ensure nothing stands in his way, he has banned all talk of retirement until the season ends.

"A decision was made a long time ago, with everyone involved, and it was not done in haste," said Schumacher. "I am totally happy with my decision and, as I said in Monza, I want to concentrate 100 per cent right on the world championship.

"That is the only thing that counts for me, and I am not thinking about anything else at the moment. I'm not going to deal with talk of my retirement until after the season. I want to remain fully focused on winning the title."

Schumacher is confident of winning both championships, adding: "As for the talk of all the pressure being on Ferrari, that is stupid. I feel our best chance lies in the constructors' championship, although we will be going all out to win both crowns.

"In my eyes it will be tight. You cannot underestimate Renault and we will certainly not make that mistake. We will concentrate on our strengths, doing everything we can and we will give our full energy and commitment for these final three races. We have it all to play for, and I feel I can bridge the two-point gap.

Schumacher, though, has not had the happiest of times in Shanghai since the Chinese Grand Prix was added to the calendar in 2004.

On that occasion, Schumacher finished a lowly 12th in a race won by then Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello, while he spun out early on last year."It is true that this race has not been the best for me, so I have a point to prove at Shanghai," insisted Schumacher.

"But Rubens won the first race there, which means our car should do well, and unlike last year, we have a better all-round set up. I'm expecting to do better this time around."

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