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BEST TIME: McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has returned the fastest time of 1min 21.234sec at the Catalunya circuit. -- PHOTO: AP
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BARCELONA - THIS Formula One season will be a two-horse race between Ferrari and fierce rivals McLaren, according to seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.
'There are two teams which will fight for the world championship. Us and the silver arrows,' he said.
The retired 39-year-old German has been test driving the F2008 for his former team, Ferrari, in the final pre-season test before the Australian season-opener on March 16.
But the plaudits have been going to McLaren and their star Lewis Hamilton.
He was fastest in testing on Monday at the Catalunya circuit, ahead of Ferrari's defending champion Kimi Raikkonen and Schumacher.
And there was better news for McLaren on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Briton, overall runner-up last year in his rookie season, again topped the times in 1min 21.234sec, while Finnish teammate Heikki Kovalainen was second quickest in 1:21.434.
Raikkonen was third in 1:21.722, with Germany's Nico Rosberg fourth for Toyota-powered Williams.
For Renault, things did not look too good.
Spanish two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was only 13th on the time sheets, 1.878sec off the pace, with Brazilian teammate Nelson Piquet Jr, 18th.
'We still need to find some performance in the car, but we have the potential and we just need to discover it,' said Alonso.
He also took the chance to point out that his frosty relationship with his former teammate Hamilton had still not thawed.
'It is the same as before - non-existent,' he remarked.
Tests can be misleading, however, and it will not be known for sure where the balance of power lies until the race in Melbourne.
But Schumacher insisted that Ferrari should still be considered the favourites.
'This Ferrari can fight to win right from the first race,' he said.
'The progress is very clear. I feel we are ready and prepared to fight for victory.'
Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone also backs Raikkonen as the man to beat.
'I think he'll take a lot of beating,' he said.
He also defended the Finn's reputation as a 'party' animal.
'Every time I've been out to dinner with him, he has been as good as gold,' said the Briton. 'And, he's even better when he's pissed.'
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESS
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