Ferrari is as modest and professional as ever as regards its chances of winning the Championship. Speaking after a one-two finish at Silverstone, Team Principle Jean Todt, said: “This one-two finish allows us to tackle the remaining races in the championship with optimism, but this does not mean we will lower our guard.” Michael was also cautious, “For that (the championship win) to happen the other drivers would have to retire or experience some other kind of bad luck,” he said, “and that’s a favour I doubt they’ll do me.”

A right result in Magny Cours would also would bring the 21st Drivers’ title to fuel and lubricants company Shell , although Ferrari’s technical partner echos the cautious message. “Shell has been working hard all year to try and keep the titles, “ said Shell’s Global Sponsorship Manager, Juan Carlos Perez. “If Michael could win on Sunday, the glory would go to him, and rightly so, but it would also reflect all the effort the whole team has put in over the past 10 months.”

Other drivers to have won Championships using Shell fuel include Nino Farina, Alberto Ascari, Graham Hill, Ayrton Senna and of course Michael Schumacher last year, but as the chances of leaving France as champion are slim, most teams, including Shell, will be concentrating on the race itself. They will be trying to bring home as many points as possible before the short trip East to Germany seven day’s later.

In comparison to the other Formula One race held in France, (Monte Carlo) Magny Cours is completely different. The track is flat, fast and relatively isolated. It is 230 kilometres to the South West of Paris and is a firm favourite of the Ferrari team. Last year, Michael Schumacher won his 50th Grand Prix in France, leading his brother home in second place whilst Rubens Barrichello finished third.

For Shell, the emphasis is once again on fuel consumption. If the race is wet, as it was in Silverstone two weeks ago, the rain can causes the cars to use much less fuel, as the speeds are lower in the rain thereby sometimes affecting the planned race strategy. With a flexible fuel, Ferrari can adapt its race strategy should it need to without any major concerns. The weather in Mangy Cours is set to be fine for the race, but it can change at a moment’s notice.