Schumacher drives for seventh title in new Ferrari

FERRARI announced last night that Michael Schumacher will unveil the car in which he will bid for a seventh drivers’ crown on January 26.

The launch will, as usual, take place at the Italian team's Maranello headquarters near Bologna.

Ferrari have started the last two seasons with their old car but, with chief rivals McLaren and Williams having already started testing their 2004 challengers, they want to get their new model up and running as soon as possible.

Schumacher will be joined by team-mate Rubens Barrichello who wants his future at the team sorted out before the season gets under way in Australia on March 7.

Barrichello is under contract until the end of this year but there is speculation he is poised to agree a deal until the end of 2006, moving him in line with Schumacher and the top management behind the team's recent Formula One dominance.

Schumacher has won the drivers' crown for the past four years while Ferrari will be looking to claim a sixth successive Manufacturers' title this season.

Meanwhile, Jordan's new Formula One car is set to make its debut early next month but who will drive it is still uncertain.

The Silverstone-based team will start their pre-season testing with the 2003 car at Barcelona on January 20, by which time they will need to sign at least one driver with both seats currently vacant.

Jordan's new EJ14 car is scheduled to make its first appearance on February 4 at Silverstone before nine further days of testing during the month.

Team boss Eddie Jordan has yet to name either driver for the coming season, although Nick Heidfeld has signed an agreement to join if sufficient funding can be found.

Allan McNish, Ralph Firman and Jos Verstappen are also in the hunt for a Jordan drive, with cash considerations likely to decide the outcome.

And Jenson Button is confident he can end his quest for a grand prix victory in 2004 a year he admits will decide his Formula One destiny.

The 23-year-old Brit believes his BAR-Honda car can power him to that long sought-after maiden win and possibly bring him a return to Williams.

"Winning races is my main aim," said Button, whose best result is fourth in a 65-race career which began with Williams in 2000.

"You never know until the first race, but we're very positive that we're going to be challenging for race wins. This year is going to be very important for me. My results will choose the path of my career but I have got a contract with BAR for 2005 and 2006 and that is where I am at the moment."

Button has been linked with a return to Williams at the end of this year to replace McLaren-bound Juan Pablo Montoya, the Colombian who took his place in 2001.

The Frome-born racer's future whereabouts will depend on his performances this year when he will spearhead BAR's bid to muscle their way into the Gang of Four of Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Renault.