Ferrari driver has high hopes for great result in Malaysia (ANSA) - Sepang, March 16 - Sunday's second place in the Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain gave a much-needed shot in the arm to Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher who is convinced his car will do great things in Sunday's Malaysia Grand Prix .

After a disastrous 2005, in which he won only one race and finished the season third after five straight titles, Schumacher kicked off this season by grabbing pole position in Bahrain and was in the lead for most of the race, before Renault Fernando Alonso beat him out of a pit stop .

What was most important about Bahrain, Schumacher observed after he arrived here, is that it showed Ferrari once again had a competitive car .

"We went to Bahrain knowing we had a good car but we didn't know how we would measure up against the others. It was a surprise to all of us that we did that well and this give a boost of confidence to everyone. Now we know we have a better car than last year," the German driver told the press .

Schumacher came here straight from Bahrain to best adapt to the radical climate change from the dry heat of the desert to the equatorial heat and humidity of Malaysia .

According to the seven-time world champion, climate conditions, which here can include torrential downpours, are "all part of the game" .

In order to get used to the climate, the Ferrari driver has even been seen playing soccer in the heat of the day .

"Yeah, it's hot, but I never sweat much anyway. This gives me a natural advantage... And it won't be a problem on the track, my car has air conditioning," the 37-year old driver joked .

Schumacher's new teammate Felipe Massa said he had decided to follow the German's approach to climate adaptation and has been working out, playing tennis and jogging throughout the day .

"What's important is to drink a lot of water, even up to three liters before a race, and to replace mineral salts. In the car there will be another liter and a half, but it's still going to be tough," he said .

Massa will be penalised ten grid positions at this Sunday's Grand Prix because Ferrari mechanics were forced to change the engine he used in Bahrain .

An inspection of Massa's engine after Sunday's race convinced Ferrari mechanics that the V8 would not withstand the heat of some 35C and 70% humidity common at the Sepang track .

Current race rules demand that the same engine be used for two consecutive races .