Changes sweeping Formula One this season

Ferrari will starts with a rejigged version of last year's car, with the new model coming in May.

Unprecedented change is sweeping through Formula One, and not even Ferrari's Michael Schumacher is immune.

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The seven-time series champion was almost invincible last season, winning 13 of 18 races. Teammate Rubens Barrichello won two more in the most predictable season in F1 history.

It may be very different when the 2005 season opens on March 6 in Melbourne, Australia, and then moves to Malaysia and Bahrain before the San Marino GP on April 24 - the first race in Europe.

Renault and McLaren begin as the favorites. Ferrari starts with a rejigged version of last year's car, with the new model coming in May - probably at the Spanish GP.

"I want to win the championship again," Schumacher said. "But it's going to be more difficult than in previous year. Top rivals will be Renault and McLaren-Mercedes. They are already strong."

"I know that our run will end some time and someone will come who drives faster than me. I must live with that."

A lot has happened since the season ended four months ago in Brazil.