Schumacher confident Ferrari can go up a gear

WORLD champion Michael Schumacher insists he is not worried by his poor start to the Formula One season.

Ferrari's five-time world champion has made a dismal start in the first season since rules were reformed in a bid to make the races more competitive, scoring just eight points from three races so far.

Speaking to Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the German made it clear he was not going to panic even though his three races without a podium finish have left him 16 points adrift of championship leader Kimi Raikkonen.

"We have all got too used to our successes," said Schumacher. "When you have won so much and unexpectedly you stop winning then people start asking questions. But that's racing," he said.

The German was prepared to take some of the blame for his poor start to the campaign which despite the rule changes many had predicted to be another romp for the Italian team.

"It's the fault of circumstance," he said. "And also I have made some mistakes. I have made so many in these first races I hope I have used them all up."

He ruled out any suggestions Ferrari had become complacent after three years of domination following a 21-year barren run, saying that the F2003 car - which has not been used yet would prove a big success when it is introduced in Spain.

"Just wait and see the new car, the work that has been done to make it better than the old one to prove that is not true (that Ferrari are complacent)," said Schumacher.

The German backed the decision to award the Brazilian Grand Prix to Giancarlo Fisichella after his Jordan team successfully appealed the race result in Paris last week.

Fisichella had crossed the line first but had to watch Raikkonen bathe himself in champagne on top of the podium after race officials awarded the race to the Finn.

"Strange things happen in today's Formula One," said Schumacher. "New rules have been introduced and it has not been so easy to apply them.

"The film shows that the decision was just. And I am happy for Giancarlo because he deserved it."

He made it clear he and his fellow drivers were still angry at the way they perceived their safety concerns had been overlooked in Brazil.

"We made a big thing about it with the FIA. I am sure they will listen and certain things will not happen again," he said. Schumacher named Mark Webber as the driver who had most impressed him this year but fired a shot at some of his other opponents.

Regarding Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya, he said: "He is a little disappointing. He has not improved as I expected him to. He promised more."

On Canada's former world champion Jacques Villeneuve, Schumacher said: "He speaks too much. He would do better to drive than to speak."

Asked if he still planned to end his career with Ferrari, he said: "Absolutely. Yes." He would not say if that meant quitting when his present deal expires in 2004 or extending his stay with Ferrari.

"There is time to talk about that," said Schumacher. "For the moment, however, I am not considering quitting. I love the sport.

"I love the struggle. We are in difficulty at the moment but soon the good times will roll again," he said.