PARIS - Michael Schumacher chases an unprecedented eighth world Formula One drivers title in 2005 but as the German whets his appetite on another slice of history, the sport he dominates is in deepest crisis.
Spiralling costs, the steady erosion of the cash cow of tobacco sponsorship as well as spectator apathy, induced by the overwhelming dominance of Schumacher and his Ferrari monolith, see the sport struggling to justify its hype.
Processional races and the abject lack of competition for the 36-year-old Schumacher and his reluctant understudy Rubens Barrichello sparked a winter of bitter in-fighting.
Teams, with the exception of the Italian giants who command a whopping 400 million dollar budget, agreed to limit testing as a means of trimming costs.
They backed a raft of technical and sporting changes in an effort to make Formula One more pleasing on the eye as well as easier on the bank balance.
Tired of the stranglehold of the sport's commercial rights holders Bernie Ecclestone and the Ferrari influence, there is even still talk of a breakaway championship in 2008.
In an effort to find common ground, the sport's governing body, the FIA has said yes to a new qualifying format split over Saturday and Sunday, with the times aggregated, as well as introducing new rules to have one set of tyres last all weekend.
There are also new restrictions on engine changes with grid penalties for those who transgress.
All very well on paper, but is Schumacher, who has won five world titles in a row, concerned? Not in the slightest.
"You could say there are reasons to be pessimistic, especially considering that the other teams seem to be well prepared," said Schumacher who will contest the first four races of the extended 19-race season in a modified version of his 2004 car.
"It may become more difficult, but the difficult part is also what makes it fun. Its one more reason to look forward to the new season, because I love being challenged.
"It was unexpected for us to be much stronger than the others at the start of 2004, and whatever mistakes they made they probably won't repeat. At the same time, it has been very tough to get to where we are and we'd like to hold on. I believe we can."
All drivers have been paying attention to tyres in testing and Ferrari, shod by Bridgestone rather than rivals Michelin, believe they have the advantage.
"McLaren and Renault are very strong at this time, and Michelin is making a good impression as well," said Ferrari's technical guru Ross Brawn.
"But of course we know Bridgestone. They are strong fighters, we can always rely on them when it comes to it."
Schumacher and his rivals face a long season.
Despite threats to the British, French and San Marino races, all three have survived while a new race is in Turkey in August.
There are also new faces on the grid.
Jaguar sold out to Red Bull who have handed David Coulthard a lifeline after the Scot was replaced by Juan Pablo Montoya at McLaren who, in turn, have teamed the colourful Colombian with the more conservative Kimi Raikkonen.
Eddie Jordan has handed over the reins of his team to Russian multi-millionaire Alex Shnaider.
Jordan have pinned their slender hopes on Portuguese rookie Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan who brings with him huge financial backing courtesy of being India's first Formula One driver.
Britain's Jenson Button, in the vastly-improved BAR-Honda, was a constant thorn in Ferrari's side in 2004 and got used to the podium picking up a best finish of second place in Monaco.
However, his public flirtation with former employers Williams could backfire on him while pressure to clinch that elusive first win will be at its fiercest.
Williams have turned to Australian Mark Webber, who now has a car to do justice to his obvious abilities, and Nick Heidfeld.
Renault, desperate to make an impression for France in a season where, for only the second time in history, there will no French driver on the grid, have jettisoned Jarno Trulli, bringing back Giancarlo Fisichella to partner Fernando Alonso.
Both men are easy on tyres, qualities which could pay huge dividends this year.
But the most likely challenge to Ferrari will come from the McLarens of Raikkonen and Montoya, the Colombian laying down a marker by winning the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix in 2004 in his last outing for Williams.
Most eyes will be on a Schumacher-Montoya duel.
Both men have clashed in the past with the most recent incident coming in Monaco last May when the German saw his record of winning all five of the season's opening races ended when he collided with the fearless Colombian.
"I am sure there was no deliberate intention on his part - but it was silly. As you say in English: 'Shit happens'", said Schumacher.
The 2005 season desperately requires similar confrontations.

02/27/2005 02:01 GMT