Schumacher dismisses ‘Shanghai jinx’ talk as he focuses on catching pacemaker Alonso

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER insists he is not suffering from a Shanghai jinx and is expecting to challenge for victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday as he continues his pursuit of Fernando Alonso in the drivers’ championship.

Schumacher trails the Spaniard by just two points with only three races remaining and securing his maiden victory in China would send the German to the top of the standings for the first time this season.

However, the seven-time world champion has an abysmal record in China, failing to score a point in the two races held so far at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Nevertheless, despite his poor record, Schumacher is confident he can make an impact on Sunday’s race.

“We should be able to do better this year,” said the Ferrari driver.

“I have no strong feelings about the place as far as I don’t think it has anything to do with bad luck or something like that.

“It’s simply that I was unfortunate in the first year with a puncture in the first race and last year we were completely out of it with our tyres and I hope this year we have the package to compete.

“But from the nature of what we have seen so far this year there should be no reason why we are not competitive.”

After a poor start to the season, Ferrari came to life as the Formula One campaign rolled through Europe and, after Schumacher’s win in Monza and Alonso’s failure to finish, the gap between the two is just two points. The Italian team also lead the constructors’ championship by three points, as the season heads towards a thrilling climax that had looked unlikely midway through the campaign thanks to Renault’s early-season dominance.

Schumacher also chose to announce his intention to retire from the sport, ending months of speculation over his future, but that has not stopped the conjecture relating to the 37-year-old.

“A lot of people were thinking or have the view that, if you make the announcement, questions stop, which is the wrong way to look at it because the questions then start,” he said.

“Only new questions are coming. I have a very clear target and for the last three races we have to have maximum concentration.”