MONZA, Italy (AP) - German Michael Schumacher conceded the 2005 Formula One title Thursday.
The seven-time world champion finally acknowledged what everyone already knew - even himself, as it turned out. That after five straight years of Schumacher winning, Spain's Fernando Alonso or Finland's Kimi Raikkonen will claim the Formula One overall title this year.
"It's not something that happens overnight. I kept saying that until mathematically things are impossible, I will keep fighting," Schumacher said. "But then at the same time I'm a realist, and some races ago I pretty much knew that it's not possible anymore to fight for the championship.

"Nobody expected this and now that it's there we will work very hard to fight back again. It's not a big surprise and that's the way it goes. It is honestly a surprise it did take that long before it happened."

Schumacher is third overall, trailing Alonso by 40 points in the drivers' standings entering this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. After this event, only four more races remain, meaning Schumacher will be mathematically eliminated Sunday if Alonso gains more points than he does. Wins are worth 10 points each.

Jacques Villeneuve of Iberville, Que., enters the race tied for 14th in the driver's standings with Portugal's Tiago Monteiro and Austrian Alexander Wurz. All three have six points.

Schumacher, whose future at Ferrari remains in question, made it clear he does not believe he will finish ahead of Alonso here, pointing to Ferrari's slow test times here last week.

"The fact is we were too slow here and we did not look too competitive," said Schumacher, adding that "unless it rains" he does not expect that to change in the race.

Alonso has a 24-point lead on Raikkonen, but Raikkonen's McLaren team was faster than Alonso's Renault squad in last week's tests.

"We'll try to win even though in the tests McLaren was faster," Alonso said.

Raikkonen's teammate, Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, clocked a Formula One record 372 kilometres an hour on Monza's main straightaway last week.

"Our maximum speed is 367, 368 kilometres an hour," said Alonso, adding that Renault will try different aerodynamics in practice Friday.

Alonso, 24, could become the youngest ever world champion and he does not need to win every race to claim that title.

If Raikkonen wins each of the five remaining races, Alonso could still take the championship if he finishes third in each race.

"We need to keep the momentum going and do a better job than Renault over the remaining five races," McLaren team chairman Martin Whitmarsh said. "However, we are aware that Renault need to make some errors."

Schumacher added his competitors' hunger had contributed to his poor form and that he would not lack incentive to contest next season.

"If you imagine how many years the other guys have been in my position I'm in now, they have been motivated to get back and challenge the leaders," Schumacher said. "There's no reason not to be motivated and I look forward very much to challenging again."