Schumi: My future's with Ferrari

Schumacher will start the season in last year's car

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher says he has no desire to drive for any other Formula One team.

And the reigning world champion has indicated he is ready to start talking about extending his contract beyond 2004.

"There is no temptation to quit yet - there is a temptation to discuss what happens after that," said the 33-year-old German.

"It will be nobody else but Ferrari, that's pretty clear.

"The kind of team we have now is the ideal situation for a racing driver and I don't see any other team which could interest me at all."

There are going to be some very interesting battles this year

Michael Schumacher

Schumacher revealed his long-term goal on the eve of launching his bid for a record-equalling fifth drivers' title in Australia.

But he admits he is on uncertain ground as he prepares for the season-opening race at Melbourne's Albert Park, in last year's car.

"We are starting the season in the old car which is not what we were aiming for but that's what we have to face and try and get the best out of it," he said.

"But the situation does look positive - tight, but positive.

"We have two very strong competitors in McLaren and Williams so there are going to be some very interesting battles this year.

"We just did not have enough miles in the new car. We had a few bad weather spells which cost us miles and we had a few issues on the car side which cost us time.

Schumacher expects Williams to be strong

"We could not come here and be 100% certain we could finish the race and that's what you have got to be.

"To some degree that upsets me. But we know we have a very good and fast old car.

"We will see this weekend how much we will suffer - that is the question mark."

Schumacher insists he is not feeling any pressure despite knowing a third successive title would equal the mark of five drivers' crowns set by Argentina's Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1950s.

"The times when we promised the title to the tifosi (Ferrari's fans) and we were unable to deliver was when there was more pressure," he added.

"We have now won two drivers' titles in a row and three manufacturers' titles and the aim is to win them again."