Another landmark in Michael Schumacher’s extraordinary career will be reached at the Barcelona GP this weekend. Fans and Ferrari staff alike are looking forward to seeing the German world champion take part in his 200th Formula One race. It is a feat that few in the sport have achieved and it amazes everybody... well, almost everybody: ‘I was amazed more than anything’, revealed Michael. ‘It was odd that the first figure was a ‘2’: 200. I’ve been in F1 so long that it felt as though I have had many more races. I thought that the figure would have been much higher…maybe its better not to speak in figures’. Once again we were the ones taken aback. We want some clarification; how is it possible that having just joined such an elite club, he has this laid back reaction? ‘And why not? Maybe you expected me to say how old I felt?’ He burst into uncontrolled laughter and then added: ‘well, in all honesty I don’t feel a day older than twenty!’

It is difficult for the journalists to avoid the inevitable questions: with the 200th race coming up, what was the best race, the most difficult, the most memorable? ‘I always have difficulty responding to such direct questions; questions that don’t take into account a series of factors’, answered the German. ‘It’s a bit like the questions everybody always asks me, like which world title is most special to me; they are all special for their own particular reasons. I can’t classify them and I don’t want to. And this goes for the single races too! If I have to choose one, I would go for Suzuka 2000 because the battle with Mika was so competitive, because our respective teams were the best, and because the end of the season is always exciting. Also, my first world title with Ferrari was indescribable and long-awaited.’ The questions then turned to more serious issues and Michael was asked how Formula One had evolved over the course of his 199 races. ‘Naturally it has changed a lot. In my opinion it is now more exciting for the drivers.

Today’s cars, even without electronic aids, are so sensitive, reactive, and fast that we don’t really miss anything. I don’t think of Formula One has ever seen anything better or faster. It would not be the same even with a turbo or a 1000 bhp engine. We are about to break through the 1000 bhp barrier but I believe a small decrease in power would be more than compensated by increased reliability. In my opinion we’ve reached the limit but by saying this I certainly don’t want to say but we can’t go further still. I’d like to say that it is exactly this that is the real challenge of the sport. And I, once again, am looking forward to the challenge was with enthusiasm.