Ferrari boss rules out another last-race

PIERO VALSECCHI

Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999 | 10:29 a.m.

MARANELLO, Italy -- Ferrari's boss won't predict where Michael Schumacher will finish in the Formula One standings, but he does guarantee there won't be another heartbreaking defeat at the end of the season.

Schumacher lost the title in the last race in the last two seasons, disappointing anxious fans of the Italian team that hasn't had a champion since Jody Scheckter in 1979.

"I can't promise fans that we are going to win the world championship this year," Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo said. "But I can tell our supporters, who have been very patient with us during the bleak years, that we are not going to lose the title once again in the last race."

Schumacher, an idol to Ferrari fans for his aggressive driving and some unexpected wins, lost the title in 1997 after a collision in the European Grand Prix with Jacques Villeneuve, who won the championship for Williams.

Last year, Schumacher lost the title to McLaren's Mika Hakkinen at the Japanese Grand Prix when a rear tire exploded, knocking him out of the race.

Schumacher joined di Montezemolo in refusing to make predictions. He promises nothing beyond intensity when the season starts March 7 in Melbourne, Australia.

"I'm very motivated after being so close to the world title in the last two years," Schumacher said. "I will do my best, but I can't say now if we are going to win.

"For sure we will battle for it, but only tests will say if we are competitive. I'm confident, of course."

Besides the enthusiastic fans, no one is putting any pressure on Schumacher, not even outspoken Gianni Agnelli, honorary chairman of Fiat, Ferrari's parent company.

"He knows that these things can be hoped for, not imposed," Schumacher said.

Schumacher and teammate Eddie Irvine expect a tough challenge from McLaren and a possible rebound of Williams following a disappointing season.

McLaren beat Ferrari last year for the drivers' and manufacturers' titles.

Schumacher said the new Ferrari - 44 pounds lighter than last year with a lower center of gravity and new suspension - is definitely an improvement.

"Reliability and speed should be our winning combination," team manager Jean Todt said. "I have high hopes that we can be very competitive from the first race of the season in Melbourne.

"I'm also anxious to see McLaren's potential. I'm sure it will be a strong car."

McLaren won nine of 16 races last year, with Hakkinen taking eight and teammate David Coulthard one.

Five of the first six races were won by McLaren, and Schumacher thinks that was the biggest factor in the race for the championship. He's optimistic this time around.

"We do not expect big problems from the new car, but we certainly have little time to solve them should problems arise," he said.

Ferrari officials have criticized the Formula One governing body for not delaying the start of the season after the cancelation of the Argentine Grand Prix, which had been scheduled for March 28.

"There will be 35 days of no races after the Australian Grand Prix, but FIA refused to make any change in the original calendar," di Montezemolo said. "It makes little sense to me."

Engineer Ross Brawn said new grooved tires forced some changes in the suspension of the new Ferrari. The team could have used a delay for more changes before the first race.

By the end of the season, Ferrari would be happy with just one big change: Schumacher winning the championship.