Schumacher plays down the pressure

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER is ignoring the hype surrounding his attempt to equal the late Aryton Senna's record of 41 career victories at this weekend's French Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver has won five out of eight races this season and has a commanding 22-point lead in the drivers' championship, over nearest rival David Coulthard.

"Statistics don't bother me, they are something you look back on after you have retired," said the German. "The championship is all that matters .

"We have been trying long and hard to win it and we are in a good position at the moment.

"The victory in Montreal is an important one, but it is not over until it is mathematically impossible to be overtaken, and there are still many races left for that."