Every year, there always is a discussion about where Michael Schumacher ranks on the list of the world’s best drivers.

One of the biggest questions: Is he better than racing great Juan Manuel Fangio?

There might never be a clear-cut answer, but Schumacher certainly is stacking the evidence on his side. Now a six-time Formula One champion, Schumacher has won more titles than any other driver, last year eclipsing Fangio’s record of five.

While there is no way to compare the drivers’ abilities and greatness, Schumacher plans to keep doing his best to make it a no-brainer.

“I want the title again,” Schumacher said earlier this year. That’s the kind of raw responses Schumacher always has fired off. After 70 victories, he is no more satisfied with his success than when he arrived in Formula One in 1991.

Schumacher extended his racing contract with Ferrari through the 2006 season and sees no reason why he won’t be racing the next three seasons and maybe even beyond.

That doesn’t bode well for other F1 teams as they try to crack Schumacher’s dominance. But it doesn’t look impossible

Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren finished second last season, by only two points. Schumacher won six races to Raikkonen’s one, but it still was the champion’s fewest wins in a season since 1999, when he won twice.

This will be Raikkonen’s fourth season in F1, but he knows how to win championships and he has a record for doing it quickly.

In his first season in British Formula Renault, he won seven out of 10 races and took the title. He was 10th overall his rookie season in Formula One and has shot up as a contender.

There will be other drivers in the mix. Juan Pablo Montoya, who finished third last year, again will be pushing toward a title with Williams. He had some of the fastest times during testing.

Schumacher’s teammate Rubens Barrichello is as confident as ever after Ferrari renewed his contract. Barrichello finished fourth last year.

“Winning races and world titles — that is why I signed,” Barrichello said of his contract. “I race for the most successful team in Formula One. In the next three years, there is the chance to win the championship.”

The season opens March 7 in Melbourne, Australia, and Schumacher appears ready. He set a track record at Ferrari’s team’s testing circuit Jan. 31 in Fiorano, Italy. He was driving the new F2004.

“The evolution continues,” he said. “Every year we are more precise, a little closer to perfection.”