Schumi aims for 7th title at Bahrain

Sepang:

Michael Schumacher failed to make the podium in his first three Formula One starts last season, but he has completely turned his fortunes around this year, making it two wins in two races with victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Now, heading into the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in two weeks, he looks unbeatable on his quest to a seventh world title. But as usual, the German ace expressed controlled caution after yesterday's race. "We have another tough race top come in Bahrain," he remarked. "Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen there, what sort of characteristics and who it favours." But whatever the conditions, it's a fair guess they'll favour Schumacher, who has mastered cool conditions in Melbourne and the blistering heat of the tour's hottest race in Malaysia. Schumacher has the maximum 20 points after two races. Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello trails at 13 and Juan-Pablo Montoya of Williams-BMW has 12. Starting from his 57th career pole position, Schumacher and his Ferrari finished easily ahead of the field yesterday. Schumacher took his foot off the accelerator to salute his team as he finished 5.0 seconds ahead of Montoya. It was Schumacher's 72nd career victory. Last year, Schumacher started with a fourth in Australia, a sixth in Malaysia, and failed to finish the Brazilian Grand Prix before settling down and knocking out Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren-Mercedes to capture the championship in the final race at Japan. (AP)