Michael Schumacher is optimistic of returning to winning ways in his Ferrari team’s home race in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday and ending his personal rot. The five-time world champion has endured a disappointing run of form since winning the Canadian Grand Prix in June, allowing rival Juan Pablo Montoya to close in to within one point at the head of the standings. Williams driver Montoya has finished on the podium in the last seven races to mount his charge, while McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen is two points behind Schumacher in third overall. Five-time champion Schumacher will have the backing of Ferrari’s ‘tifosi’ supporters at the high-speed Italian circuit and is aware of the expectancy placed on his shoulders by the adoring Italian public. ‘‘I am confident about this weekend’s race. Last week’s testing was very promising and I think I can fight for the win,’’ said the German. ‘‘The layout is very similar to Montreal where we won, and also the F2003-GA goes very well on high-speed circuits and obviously this is a special event for us. We can’t promise anything and given the competitiveness of our rivals the race is bound to be very close. But I can say that we will do our utmost so that our fans can celebrate with us.’’ Schumacher went to Monza involved in an intense battle with Mika Hakkinen in 2000 but won the race from pole position and followed that with victory in the final two races to lift the drivers’ title for the third time — his first with Ferrari. He insists this year is a similar situation and said: ‘‘We are determined to perform really well and this time we need support from the ‘tifosi’, just as we did in 2000, when we were in a similar situation as regards the championship. We all remember how that turned out.’’ In-form Montoya will begin the race as favourite having won at Monza in 2001 — his first win in formula one — and has also been on pole for the race for the last two years. But the Michelin tyres used by both Montoya and Raikkonen have had to be modified after the French supplier was accused by Ferrari and Bridgestone of using illegal tyres at the last round in Hungary. The Michelin runners will use a new compound and both Williams and McLaren have been left fearing for their championship bids. Williams lead the way in the constructors’ standings eight points ahead of Ferrari, with McLaren third 14 points behind. The three other teams using Michelin — Renault, Toyota and Jaguar — have said the newly-created tyres work well, but Ferrari are hopeful that Bridgestone will have a much-needed advantage. ‘‘Bridgestone has done a lot of work and I am confident we have taken a step forward on this element of the package,’’ last year’s winner Rubens Barrichello, of Ferrari, said. Barrichello discovered a back problem during last week’s test at Monza but the Brazilian does not expect the minor injury to affect him in the race. ‘‘I discovered at the Monza test that my back bothers me more when I am outside the car exercising than when I am in the cockpit,’’ said the Brazilian. Jordan driver Ralph Firman and Williams’ Ralf Schumacher, however, will undergo mandatory fitness tests today to discover whether they will be permitted to compete in Sunday’s race. Firman will be examined for FIA medical chief Professor Sid Watkins to discover whether he is over the injuries suffered in his crash in the Hungarian Grand Prix 3 weeks ago. Schumacher will also face a test after being taken to hospital in Milan last week when his car flipped during testing at the Italian circuit. The German, who is fourth in the standings 14 points behind his brother Michael, needs to compete to keep his flagging title hopes alive, and aid Williams’ bid for the constructors’ crown.
