Bahrain GP - Ferrari - Preview
Ferrari is looking to get back to its winning ways in 2006 after a trying time last season. The team is confident that the mistakes made last year have been ironed out in it latest challenger the 248 F1.
Michael Schumacher recorded one victory last year and finished third in the standings. This year the seven time Champion believes that he has the car that can challenge for the title once again, even if he does admit that the team may not be in the position to win on merit from the outset.

Joining Schumacher on the driving front is Felipe Massa who replaces the Honda bound Rubens Barrichello. Massa has yet to score a podium position, but is confident that he can learn from Schumacher over the season and challenge for wins if not the title in his first year with the team.

Michael Schumacher
"Finally the season has come around! In few other occasions ahead of a championship have I been as anxious as I am this year. We are well prepared and want to do well right from the start of the season. Further, we know the track fairly well as we tested there in mid-February.
To be honest, I felt much less hopeful last year even though Bahrain was the third race in the calendar and this year it is the first. Last season we didn`t even know if we would be able to get the new car to the starting grid, though we did it in the end. The race went quite well and I managed to keep pace with Fernando Alonso before suffering from hydraulic problems. This time, I think, we will be more competitive."

"We have to ask ourselves whether we will be able to improve over the course of a season. This will be an important factor for us. However, Ferrari is traditionally adept at doing this and this time too there are positive signs. So let battle commence."

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