Michael Schumacher's days as Formula One's king of the road are numbered - according to one of his biggest admirers.

Jaguar Racing's Mark Webber reckons Schumacher's four-year title-winning streak with Ferrari will end in 2004.

Webber believes the battle will be between Williams duo Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen, whose McLaren team-mate David Coulthard does not get a mention.

"I think we will definitely have a new champion this year," said Webber as he launched Jaguar's 2004 challenger at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.

"Michael will be deposed. I think Kimi will give it a real shout and either of the Williams drivers will definitely be right up there.

"It is going to be a tough year for Michael because the momentum will be with the other two teams even though Ferrari did well in the last two races of last season.

"Michael did a phenomenal job last year to scrape it out of the bottom of the canyon and get the championship."

Webber reckons the key difference this year is that the Michelin tyres which Williams and McLaren will be using should prove much quicker than Ferrari's Bridgestones.

But Webber reckons losing the title could provide a spur for Schumacher to continue rather than finally quit the sport which many observers expect him to do when he finally starts getting beat.

"Michael won't enjoy it if he is loses the championship and it will be tough for him," added the Australian.

"But he is a phenomenal competitor and it might give him the motivation to come back again and stick around a bit longer. I am a great admirer of Michael and he has been great for our sport."