Having failed to win either of the past two races, the German is keen to return to winning ways and claim the victory at this weekend's inaugural Chinese GP.

The Shanghai race is the second new event to be included this year on the F1 calendar, the first being Bahrain, and with the tickets for Sunday's race already sold out it promises to be a momentous debut. And one that Schumacher, who clinched the title in Bahrain's maiden Grand Prix, intends winning.

The triumph will have added attractions with the return to active duty of Ralf Schumacher and the comeback of former world champion Jacques Villeneuve.

Schumacher clinched an unprecedented seventh drivers' crown in Belgium and the Ferrari team already secured a sixth successive constructors' championship. He would race in the final three events of this season without any urgency.

However, that does not mean he is going to take it easy and miss the chance to add a brand-new Shanghai victory to his F1 honor list.

"It's a great honor to have won many races and therefore the trophies, but I have spaces for a few more trophies," he said.

"I look forward to one from Shanghai. That'll be my first one."

His teammate Rubens Barichello refrained from claiming to secure his second place in Shanghai.

"The most important thing is that we can fight to win the race," he said.

The Brazilian sits the second on 98 points now, leaving Jenson Button of BAR a faraway third in 71.

Having been out of action for three months since his accident during the United States Grand Prix, Ralf Shumacher could not wait to have a good race.

"No one knows the Shanghai circuit, which makes this race very exciting," says the German, "It's always fun going to a completely new track because everyone is equal in their lack of knowledge."

Battle hots-up for runner-up

Jacques Villeneuve was similarly fired up. He said he received a "nice welcome" when he strolled into the Formula One race paddock for the first time in a year.

In China, the French-Canadian will drive the first of the final three Grand Prix for Renault before returning full-time for the Sauber crew next season.

As the Shanghai race will stage a crucial battle for second in the constructors' title behind Ferrari, it might spice-up the challenge that Villeneuve is to battle BAR.

The 33-year-old walked out of the BAR camp after a season-long spat with principal David Richards in October last year.

At Monza, BAR moved clear of Renault, but the two outfits still sit adjacent with BAR only 3 points ahead.

Takuma Sato, who succeeded Villeneuve at BAR, was cautious about his return. "We don't know just how quick he'll be," said the Japanese, "but a driver of his experience should be able to get straight back on it."

The Brackley-based team is bringing "some new aero parts and engine developments" to Shanghai in a bid to keep that lead.

"We know we'll have to work hard to keep second place," said technical director Geoff Willis, "for the last three races."