Michael Schumacher would not bet on himself to win a record sixth Formula One world championship this year.

However, as the Ferrari driver made clear to reporters at the French Grand Prix on Thursday, that is not because he thinks any of his rivals have a better chance but because he is not a gambler by nature.

The German leads McLaren's young Finn Kimi Raikkonen by seven points in the standings with seven races remaining, including Sunday's, and remains the overwhelming title favourite with British bookmakers.

"I would never advise anyone to put money on myself or on anyone," he said when told of his odds of 7-1 ON. "I think there are better things to do with your money.

"There is a very close competition but I think we have such a great car, we have a great spirit and I don't see any reason why we shouldn't have a great opportunity to win the championship again.

"That doesn't mean that it's clear but we have a very good chance," he added.

The German has won four races this season and can take his 50th victory for Ferrari on Sunday as well as becoming the first driver to win the same grand prix seven times. He has won in France for the last two years.

But Schumacher has had to fight much harder for his points this year. In 2002 he left Magny Cours with his fifth title won and six races to spare.

"Williams and McLaren are simply faster than they were last year and more reliable," Schumacher said.

The German said his younger brother Ralf, 15 points behind him in third place overall for Williams, was also a championship challenger.

"The main concentration, obviously, is for Raikkonen at the moment, in terms of the points situation, so we have to fight against him but we have to watch out for Ralf as well to some degree," he said.

"He is just 15 points behind so the championship is tight."

Schumacher had it easy last year, winning 11 of the 17 races, on his way to a record points haul. Asked whether he preferred it that way or derived more satisfaction from a closer struggle, he replied:

"I have never compared one championship to another because I always felt they were very different. I assume that so would this year's, if it happens.

"I still love very much what happened last year. Even last year there were close battles...sometimes you really like easy races as well," said Schumacher.

"You never feel confident enough to say you are going to do it, and if you have easy races to secure the points it makes the championship more certain. You don't lose the satisfaction."