Ahead of his first day of testing at Barcelona, Michael Schumacher spoke of his hopes for Imola, media speculation, and the season thus far.

Your optimism after the second place in Bahrain has dimmed. How can you be sure to close the gap on Renault, McLaren and Honda?
Michael Schumacher: We are certain that we are in better shape than may appear from the outside. The potential is there; now we have to improve even more and be consistent. We are working towards this with our development programme. At Imola there will be many new features that we are testing at the moment. As we all know, Formula 1 can be a crazy world but we should try not to be caught up in it all!

You tested at length at Vallelunga and tomorrow you will be in Barcelona. What is the morale of the squad?
MS: We are full of hope. Last week's tests went according to plan and this is always a good sign in our sport. Things are fine on the team: everyone is pulling in the right direction and we all want to win. The beginning of the European season should co-incide with the start of our drive for the world title.

The accident in Australia saw some criticisms made over the strategy and worries for your health. Are you taking more risks in challenging for the title or is the pressure not affecting your driving style?
MS: I note with some amusement that my so-called 'sources' know exactly how I feel on a day-to-day basis! This is ridiculous! I will continue doing what I do as I have always done, with great enthusiasm, a will to win and I will enjoy it. This is a sport and we have to attack and take risks if you want to win.

Do continued questions over the future of your career or uncertainty about whether you can regain the title unsettle you?
MS: These questions don't, as a rule, bother me. In fact, there is some basis for them. Aside from saying that I will decide over summer, I can do no more. I will certainly not change my mind just because the same question is always asked of me. I can only say that I would like to take all the time necessary to decide and to fully think about things.

Have you been affected by the way that the first three races have gone?
MS: For the thousandth time, I want to repeat that I would prefer not to discuss in public the reasons that will affect my decision.

What do you have to say on the news published in German on Raikkonen's possible switch to Ferrari?
MS: My reaction is the same as it was in the past. Whenever this story comes up, I have said the same thing: I do not want to comment on rumours as they will only set off new ones.

Now the San Marino Grand Prix is coming up; Ferrari's home race. Can the fans' support help Ferrari or will the weight of expectation be too much?
MS: Supporters always help in difficult moments. There is nothing better than hearing the fans. It is obvious that we would like to give them a reason to cheer us.