Schu quick, but running on empty?
On Friday, in front of the ardent Italian Tifosi, the German – with his upgraded '248' machine – shadowed the quick pace of reigning world champion and title leader Fernando Alonso.
''The goal for (Saturday) is to get the pole,'' said Schumacher, whose qualifying feat would surpass Ayrton Senna's long-standing record of 65.
Asked by reporters what Sunday's goal might be, he summed it up in a solitary word: 'Victory'.
But is everything as it appears? Some trackside observers at 'Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari' noticed that Schumacher seemed a little erratic at the wheel.
Toro Rosso team co-owner Gerhard Berger, who drove for Ferrari in the 80s and 90s, went further, suggesting that Schumacher's red car might have been running a bit low on fuel when he logged his fast times.
''I hope I am wrong,'' the Austrian told German 'Premiere' television. ''I hope they have just done a good job.''