Q: How did you feel the testing went here?
Michael Schumacher: I read some times which were different to what we did and what we actually have done, because there was something in media which suggested that we did a low 1m 20s. I don't know when we were supposed to do that but the fact is that we were too slow here and we didn't look too competitive.

Q: Is there any reason why that might change for the race itself?
Michael Schumacher: Unless it rains, no.

Q: You made some interesting comments about the cars in low downforce trim here, the one circuit where you run the cars in low downforce settings. Can you tell us what the cars are like around this circuit?
Michael Schumacher: Actually they do behave better than they have done in the past compared to the past years, they are much less critical to drive. There seems to be more grip available and the car handles pretty good, so in a way it's fine. You think you have a better car in your hands but then you look much slower than you have been.

Q: What was it like in the past? Was it very skittish?
Michael Schumacher: Yes, very nervous, very much on the edge all the time. It seems to be a little bit more forgiving right now.

Q: You've also expressed some worries about the second chicane; does that continue to be a worry?
Michael Schumacher: It has been a worry to us for many years. The GPDA has been sending out notes for that chicane (to be changed) for a long time and I hear every year there's a plan to change it but it just ends up with hearing about it rather than actual action.

Q: Michael, after five years of winning titles, what motivates you to carry on when things are not going so well?
Michael Schumacher: You have to see the ups and downs we've had this year. Obviously people have referred to their short-term memory, and even me. When I think back to Turkey I wasn't happy about it but if you look at the year all together, I'm third in the Drivers' Championship and we are third in the Constructors' Championship. We had been winning absolutely and we are not where we want to be, but we've had our ups and downs and with this and with a very clear situation, we understand we can improve. We don't know when we can improve but we will just keep on fighting. If you imagine how other guys have been in our position for years and they are still motivated. I'm looking forward to challenge the leaders. I have every reason to be motivated to challenge again.

Q: Michael, how do you rate Felipe Massa?
Michael Schumacher: We have known Felipe a bit longer now. He started to do some testing with us and for years he has been at Sauber. When you look at where he started and where he is right now, you see a steady curve of improving and learning and I think he's doing a very good job. His real position right now is obviously something we'll have to find out when he comes with us but I rate him very highly as he has done some very good races and qualifyings. It maybe doesn't look as obvious because he has driven for Sauber who are not so competitive, to prove his abilities, but if you study him in a bit more in detail then you can see how good he can be. Being a Ferrari driver is different from being a Sauber driver but he will have a lot of support from us to get the best out of him because that's in our interests.

Q: Michael, in the past at Monza it's been great, this year if you don't out-score Fernando Alonso then that's the championship over. What are your thoughts?
Michael Schumacher: Honestly it's not something that happens overnight. I've been saying that until it's not mathematically impossible to win then I'll keep fighting but also I'm a realist and some races ago I pretty much knew that it's no longer possible to fight for the championship, and especially after Turkey. It was a surprise that we got this far before being counted out of the championship. Nobody expected this and next year we will fight very hard to make our way back again.

Q: Michael, are you confident you'll be back at the head of the queue next season?
Michael Schumacher: Yes indeed. Bridgestone is obviously highly motivated. They've had trouble this year with the pressure they got but I'm pretty sure they'll find a way. It is taking longer than we wish to, but sometimes things just take more time and I'm confident because on the car side we're probably not where McLaren is at the moment but we're not that far off them and when things are going together it should be OK.

Q: To all four of you, a few years down the road, if one of your kids comes to you and says 'I want to be a racing driver' how much will you support them and help them?
Michael Schumacher: I'd prefer it if he played golf or tennis.

Q: Michael and Jarno why are you not keen?
Michael Schumacher: It's tough to imagine my little one following in my steps. If you think about what you guys would ask him and the pressure for him to get out of my shadow. It's such a heavy burden and I don't see any reason to push him towards racing unless it's what he wants.

Q: Michael, can you understand the speculation on your future, bearing in mind you're not winning at the moment and you only have one year on your Ferrari contract?
Michael Schumacher: Sure the media have their job and most do it well and some less well, and they say some of us do it well and some not so well so it's natural.