Schumi: 'never say die'
ByReuters
Published 27/06/2006 at 15:15 GMT
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher refused to be downhearted after reaching the midpoint of the Formula One season 25 points adrift of Renault driver Fernando Alonso. "Starting off the second half of the season with 25 points less than him is anything but ideal
2006 Canadian GP Ferrari Schumacher
Image credit: Reuters
"We surely won't give up hope. Our strategy for the next race has to be attacking and we'll do just that. Anything is still possible."
Alonso has scored 84 points out of a possible 90 and will wrap up the title well before the end of the season at his current progress.
Schumacher, runner-up on Sunday, is second overall and can only hope that the implacable Spaniard fails to finish a couple of races soon.
The next is at Indianapolis on Sunday, a return to the Brickyard for a US Grand Prix that descended into a fiasco last year with just six cars racing after the rest pulled out due to tyre safety concerns.
The seven time world champiowon that race but will face a tough battle to prevent 24-year-old Spaniard Alonso from racking up his fifth win in a row this time.
Alonso won seven races in 2005 while Schumacher was triumphant only at Indianapolis and he said Ferrari's form this year should be measured against that dismal season.
"People have apparently already forgotten where we were at last year: pretty far behind," he said. "Maybe we should take it as a compliment that they've forgotten so quickly but I can't repeat often enough that this comeback is an incredible accomplishment by the team ... now we're already fighting for the championship title again.
"That's why I enjoy it immensely," said the 37-year-old, who has yet to announce whether he intends to retire or continue in 2007. "What could be better? Okay, we could win more races than we've won so far this year but that's exactly what we'll try to do now."
Schumacher has won two of the nine races so far.
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