Publications
Partners
Berlin - Germany's seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher is determined to sign off with an eighth Formula One title this season but said he would not underestimate the threat posed by Renault and their reigning champion Fernando Alonso.
Schumacher, 37, announced his retirement after winning the last Grand Prix in Monza and is now just two points behind Spaniard Alonso in the drivers' championship heading into Sunday's Shanghai Grand Prix.
"I think we can win the title again but I think it will be tight. You can't underestimate Renault and we will certainly not make that mistake," Schumacher said on his official website.
"We will concentrate on our strengths and give everything in the final three races."
Shanghai has not proved a lucky venue for Schumacher in the past but the Ferrari driver is not letting that get to him.
"It is true that this race has not been the best for me but Rubens (Barichello) won the first ever race there so that shows that our car is fine on the track," Schumacher added.
"I expect it to be better this time around and I am looking forward to this fight in the last few races. I have a two-point gap and that can be bridged."
The race in China will be Schumacher's first since announcing his retirement from the sport and he wants to forget about all the tabloid talk.
"I am happy with my decision and, as I said in Monza, I want to concentrate 100% on the world championship," he said. "That is the only thing that counts now."
Schumacher is already the most successful Formula One driver in history after winning seven titles. He won back-to-back titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before collecting five crowns in a row from 2000 onwards.
