“Although we talk about a three week break, it’s actually two and a half, but I enjoyed having this time to relax and celebrate and go karting, which I have not had much time for this year,” he said. “I think karting has been very important in my career,” admitted the German. “The main area where it helps is in having a close wheel to wheel fight with your opponent. Karting is the best training for this. If you think that Damon Hill had never competed in karts, he learned how to duel very quickly in F1, but it was not something he had been used to, because of his lack of karting.”

Nothing in his mind has changed since France and the winning of the 2002 crown. He is here to race and race to win. But he also knows his second role in the team is now to assist Rubens Barrichello in any way he can to secure a Ferrari 1-2 in the title standings. It is expected that Ferrari will secure the constructor’s title this weekend in Hungary and Schumacher is confident that the result will be the right one this weekend.

“Winning the championship has not really changed my approach to the rest of the season,” maintained Michael. “I am looking forward to the remaining races and will be driving as fast as I can. My target has not changed and that is to win as many races as I can.”