Friday March 29th, 2002

World Champion Michael Schumacher said after Friday practice at Interlagos that he does not see himself as the favourite for this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Speaking to reporters in the shade of the Ferrari garage, Schumacher, who drove the new F2002 during practice, said the impressive opening day performance of teams on Michelin tyres has left him doubting his chances in Sunday's race.

"I would hope we could be favourites but at the moment it doesn't look like it," he said. "It looks like the McLarens are back and it seems that the Michelin tyres are very strong. I am expecting quite a battle.

"But it is normal to have to learn and build up when you come to a circuit with a new car. There is room for improvement and Friday never tells the whole picture."

The Bridgestone tyres seemed to suffer with temperatures that rose above 40 degrees Celsius on the Brazilian tarmac, with Schumacher, his teammate Rubens Barrichello and British American Racing's Jacques Villeneuve the only drivers in the top ten on the Japanese company's rubber.

Schumacher revealed that the difference in style between the old and new Ferraris are not big enough to require Bridgestone to provide a new compound to the Italian team. But the German did raise concerns over the dirty track at Interlagos after Barrichello suffered a puncture on his F2001 car during the Friday practice sessions.

"The circuit was quite slippy and it was pretty dirty," Schumacher said. "There were lots of small nails and things on the track. They are so small and you can't see them but I don't think there is anything we can really do about it."

Published at 19:52:10 GMT