Schumacher

MARANELLO, Italy -- Ferrari's Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has set his sights on equalling Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five career world titles.

Schumacher, who has so far collected four world crowns in his career, has always shown little interest in statistics and records but said that matching the great Argentine would be a reward for the Ferrari team, as much as for himself.

"It would be great to achieve that five because we have put in all that effort, as a team into this new car, with the aim of winning another championship," the German told reporters on Wednesday at the unveiling of Ferrari's new F2002 car.

Schumacher won two world championship titles with Benetton before adding two more in Ferrari's colors. But the German said his real motivation for continuing to chase victories was not breaking records but the sheer enjoyment of racing.

"It is the pure fun of F1, racing and having four wheels around me," he said.

"Records are nice but then, if you have achieved them, what is left? It is not that situation that really pushes me. It is simply to win each race, to do my best. We will see how long that lasts."

With the season-opening Australian Grand Prix less than a month away, Schumacher is predicting a strong challenge from the McLaren and Williams teams, as well as from fellow Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello.

Long-term challenger
Williams's Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya showed signs last season of emerging as a long-term challenger to Schumacher's dominance, but the German said he is relishing his title defence in 2002.

"I am happy to fight against anyone," he said. "If that's going to be a good fight, then I am looking forward to it.

"I have had many close fights and many close rivals over the years in Formula One. I've had good battles with Jean Alesi, with Damon Hill, obviously, and Mika (Hakkinen)."

While Benetton may have launched Schumacher on the road to stardom, he says his 1996 move to Ferrari lifted his career to another level.

"There is no other team that raises the emotions like Ferrari, to win with them is extraordinary," said the reigning world champion.

"That is one thing. But also the human relationships that have been built up since I arrived here. That is something I never experienced (before)."

Setting his targets for the new season is becoming somewhat routine for Schumacher but, nonetheless, he made it clear there was no room to relax.

"I am looking forward to doing the same as in the last two years -- staying where we are is not easy to do."