Schumacher in positive frame of mind

While Fernando Alonso and his Renault team continue to fend off concerns over divisions within their camp, Michael Schumacher is in buoyant mood ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

The German recorded the third fastest time of the second free practice period today, finishing marginally ahead of world title rival Alonso as the Suzuka track dried out in the final minutes of the session.

“The weather forecast is supposed to steadily improve and that can only be good for us,” said Ferrari man Schumacher, who has won five of the last seven races to claw himself to the top of the drivers’ standings.

“The team is in very good spirits, concentrating on our work and everything seems to be going well. As for qualifying, I think we will be fighting Renault for the top places on the grid.”

Alonso’s team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella posted the fastest time of the day in a congested finish to the session which saw Felipe Massa guide his Ferrari around the circuit just seventh-hundredths of a second slower than the Italian.

Schumacher, who can clinch an eighth drivers’ title if he wins on Sunday and Alonso fails to finish in the points, was third, with the Spaniard almost three-tenths of a second further back.

“All we have got is a flavour of the situation and so it is hard to judge,” said Schumacher after running for 10 laps on the Suzuka circuit.

“The car and the Bridgestone tyres seem to be behaving well and there were no problems of any sort.”

Honda’s Jenson Button was the next quickest of the regular race drivers, coming in sixth behind his team’s test driver Anthony Davidson and BMW Sauber test driver Sebastian Vettel.

“The car feels positive,” said the Englishman.

“I’m happier than I have been with the car for the last couple of races and hopefully that will continue tomorrow. There are a few areas we need to work on but generally it’s a good start to the weekend.”

Sunday’s race will be the last to be held at Suzuka – Honda’s home track - before the Japanese Grand Prix moves to the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway next year and Button is keen to put in a good performance for the car manufacturer’s local fans.

Button said: “It’s disappointing for me and the whole team that Suzuka is not on the calendar next year so we want to put on a special show here and it would be nice to get on the podium for the fans.

“We have a lot of fans here at Suzuka and in Japan so it’s going to be a special event for us. The car felt good in good conditions so I feel optimistic.

“I think for the team (racing at Suzuka) gives everyone a little bit of a boost. For me personally I can’t drive any quicker but I’m very confident here.

“I love the circuit and we have a lot of support, so I’m very happy here. It feels like home. It doesn’t make me drive any quicker but out of the car it’s a very good atmosphere.”