Schumi plays down start concern

The start at Monaco is notoriously cramped

Michael Schumacher has played down fears of a multiple pile-up at the start of the Monaco Grand Prix this Sunday.

Teams have fallen foul of problems with their electronic start-control systems at both races since they were introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix a month ago.

Drivers have managed to avoid a pile-up at the relatively wide Spanish and Austrian tracks.

But with the grid much narrower on Monaco's street circuit there have been fears that drivers will not be able to avoid a collision if a similar number of cars have problems.

If people have problems or anticipate they may have a problem, they will have to take responsibility and use manual starts instead

  Steve Nichols
Jaguar technical director

Schumacher, though, believes teams will have heeded the warning from Austria and taken steps to avoid a repeat.

And he has pointed out that problems did not begin with the introduction of the new systems.

"It is always dangerous if a car stops on the grid, but when Mika [Hakkinen] stopped in Brazil there was no launch control involved," said Ferrari's reigning world champion.

"It looked a bit strange in Austria because four cars stopped at the same time, but I think all four cars had the same problem.

"The grip level in Austria was very high and nobody was prepared for this, but in the future everybody will be.

"I don't think the start this weekend will be anymore dangerous than in previous years as anyone could have a problem. And after what happened in Austria everyone will be a bit more careful."

Confidence

"After the A1-Ring the drivers are all going to be switched on and more careful with the start procedure," he added.

Steve Nichols, technical director of Jaguar, believes that the teams involved should be prepared for all consequences.

"I think if people have problems or anticipate they may have a problem, they will have to take responsibility and use manual starts instead."

Schumacher is unlikely to worry about such problems. He enters the race full of confidence and favourite to take pole position and win the race.

He has won Monaco on four previous occasions and is aiming for a fifth win which will equal Graham Hill's tally.

Ayrton Senna holds the all-time record with six wins.

Schumacher leads the driver's championship by four points, with Britain's David Coulthard in second place.