There is nothing like a holiday to celebrate such a great start to the season. Ferrari #1 driver Michael Schumacher spent a week by🌳 the sea after Melbourne in the company of hisಌ wife and a few friends, among whom his manager Willy Webber.

It was a time to relax before taking on the suffocating circuit at Sepang. "We really felt comfortable, these few days have done us g🎐ood," commented the Melbourne winner. "We had fun, we celebrated Willy's birthday. Everything was perfect."

Michaඣel admits, though, that: "little by little I am becoming impatient for the next race. The fact is that after such a good start to the season I can't wait for Sepang".

The Ferrari one-two in A𒁃ustralia sent echoes around the world, created great euphoria among Ferrari fans, but Michael, as usual, did not get carried away by it all. From the press conference in Melbourne on, the German champion tried to put the brakes on such easy enthusiasm.

"🍨In Formula 1 things can change very rapidly and we shouldn't forget ♏that we have always done well in Australia. Malaysia, as well as being a very difficult race, is also unpredictable because of the climate. It isn't one of our favourite tracks."

This caution is ♎emphasised decisively, revealing the desire ༒of the whole Ferrari team to get to know that if 2004 better, to verify its performance on one of the trickiest tracks circuits in Formula One.

"That's right," exclaims Schumacher. "At Sepang we will be able to really understand what the set up of the car is like and wheth❀er we can challenge for vict🍌ory. For us the season has opened well; things look promising. If, on the other hand, we get left behind in Malaysia then things will become more difficult.

"Malaysia, with its very high temperatures, will make it particularly difficult on the car and, above all, on the tyres. I have to say that if the tyres function perfectly in the high temperatures of Malaysia... well things would be lo𝔉oking decidedly interesting. We will find out soon enough!"

If Ferrari surprised everyone by its strength, for his direct rivals it was Michael's detജermination, his desire to drive, and his child-like enthusiasm that stood out. Some even confessed that they had not seen Schumacher lik൩e this for quite a while.

"This is so true and I couldn't even begin to explain it," declared to six times world champion. "I was very passionate about this first race! During this winter my love for the sport and the desire to drive grew even more. Maybe its because I have the opportunity to drive a car like the F2004, one you can only be sat﷽isfied with, and long for Friday to come along so that you can put on the overalls and r🌠ace again."

So it is onto Malaysia where Michael will arrive on Wednesday evening: "We will start ඣslowly. On the Thursday evening the first stop is the Philip M꧋orris press conference."

Michael has to wait u🐬ntil Friday to test 🔜himself at the wheel of his #1 Ferrari.