Formula 1: Schumacher confident of retaining crown

Michael Schumacher will start the new Formula One season as favourite along with Mika Hakkinen.

The 32-year-old Schumacher is determined to begin a spell of Ferrari domination and headed Down Under positively brimming with confidence.

Schumacher became Ferrari's first World Champion since Jody Scheckter in 1979.

"The F2001 car has behaved very well from the first to last day of testing," he said. "It has performed brilliantly.

"I can say again that never before have I been able to carry out such a preparation in my career and that sends me to Melbourne full of confidence.

"I'm anxious for everything to start. I think I have an excellent car and cannot wait to measure myself against my rivals to see where we and they are.

"I want to race and fight on every circuit. I think it will be another great duel between us and McLaren."

Schumacher's immediate target will be a fifth successive victory - he won the final four races of last season - which would match a winning streak only Jack Brabham, Clark and Nigel Mansell have achieved in the past.

The record though is the nine consecutive victories Italy's Alberto Ascari achieved and which stretched over his two title-winning years in 1952 and 53.

Schumacher, who last year also equalled the record of nine wins in a season he shares with Mansell, needs just seven more to draw level with Alain Prost's all-time mark of 51.

The Swiss-based racer will also be just one away from Argentinian legend Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five drivers' titles if he again triumphs this year.

The expected superiority of Ferrari and McLaren will leave only the odd victory or podium for the other teams to fight over though the battle to be the best of the rest should be just as fascinating.