In an interview to appear on Saturday in Munich's TZ daily, the six-times world champion said racing has become easier now without any worries about records but thinks McLaren and Williams are still dangerous opponents.

Complete Coverage F1: The 2004 season

"I'm just having fun," the German said. "It's just a great feeling at the moment, getting into the car and I get really excited about going out and driving a fast lap.

"It's getting more fun every year, perhaps because the pressure is gone, because I don't keep getting asked about records and statistics all the time," he added. "I'm only driving because I want to drive."

Fears that Schumacher would dominant the championship the way he did in 2002 grew after Sunday's pole-to-post win in the Malaysian Grand Prix, two weeks after Ferrari's dominant one-two finish at the season-opening race in Australia.

After one of the closest title battles for years last season, with Schumacher taken down to the wire before claiming his record sixth championship, 2004 is already threatening to turn into a cakewalk for the Italian team.

Ferrari's last period of domination led to a decline in television viewing figures and a raft of changes to pep up the sport. But Schumacher said the world championship is far from decided.

"Should I hit the brakes just because that would be apparently good for Formula One?," Schumacher said when asked whether his dominance was making the sport dull.

"No way," he added. "In fact, I'm going to have to push harder because the others are getting closer all the time. Stop thinking that the championship is all but wrapped up."

Schumacher, who picked up his 72nd career victory in Malaysia, said the gap between Williams and Ferrari had narrowed and predicted McLaren would bounce back from their current woes.

Looking at the championship standings, Schumacher noted that even though he has 20 points from the first two races, Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya was only eight points back on 12.

"If I'm not able to finish in Bahrain, Montoya could take over the lead," Schumacher said.

Schumacher also reiterated that he is not even contemplating retirement.

"If the others start lapping me, then it'll be time to quit," he said.