Why the wheels have come off for Michael Schumacher

Ferrari initially gambled on starting the first four races of the new championship with an outdated version of the car that ran rampant last season with 15 wins from 18 Grands Prix.

But they were on to a loser from the start as the interim F2004M model proved incompatible with harder, longer-lasting tyres designed to comply with new regulations for 2005. In particular, Schumacher and team-mate Barrichello complained of poor traction, grip and braking performance.

The team's response was to rush out their F2005 car for the third round of the title chase, the Bahrain Grand Prix, with team boss Jean Todt promising: "We are ready to go on the attack. The gearbox, engine transmission and brakes are all strong points on this car." But not strong enough.

In four Grands Prix with the 2005 car, Schumacher and Barrichello have managed just two podiums between them. Having enjoyed remarkable reliability last year, they have both suffered technical retirements.

A new rule for 2005 demands each car uses only one set of tyres for the qualifying sessions and the race. In other words, the tyres must last up to four times longer than in 2004.

Schumacher's Ferrari is fitted with Bridgestone tyres while Renault and McLaren are aligned to Michelin who have done a better job of producing gripping but durable rubber. Crucially, Michelin cars are dominating the battle for grid positions which leaves Schumacher at a disadvantage from the word go.

Ferrari team boss Jean Todt acknowledged: "The rule demanding one set of tyres for qualifying and the race is tough. We have interpreted that in a conservative way, and that's why we pay the costs in qualifying."

Schumacher admitted: "Qualifying is the biggest weakness at the moment. It was extreme in Monaco [he started eighth] - worse than I expected - but our race pace is absolutely competitive. If we could start where the championship leaders start we would be racing with them."

What is a guy to do without a guru to guide him? That's the question that must be vexing Schumacher, possibly at the expense of his own performance, after Balbir Singh gave notice to quit.

Singh is the champion's masseuse, dietician and 'spiritual guide'. But not for much longer. The low-profile Indian wants to spend more time with his German wife and children and to open a centre for meditation. "I will miss him," moaned Schumacher. "He is one of the few people in the world I totally trust."

Singh, whose last race will be the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix in August, brought expert knowledge of the 'holistic alternative science' of Ayurveda, yoga and health-giving Indian lifestyle habits to the Schumacher camp.

According to a Ferrari insider, Singh "took care" of the driver at races around the globe. "It was more than spicy food, special drinks and massage," she said. "He calmed him down. They had an understanding."

The other teams have finally realised that in order to match Ferrari they must replicate the all-round excellence and commitment shown by the Italian outfit since Schumacher's arrival in 1996.

Flavio Briatore, head of Renault, faced flak towards the end of last season when he halted development of the 2004 car in order to concentrate on making a competitive car for this year.

Now he is being feted after Renault drivers Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella won five of the first seven Grands Prix. Briatore said: "It is self evident that Ferrari have done a better job than all of us. Last year they were fantastic, they never broke a car. But we know the key to beating Ferrari is to put pressure on them. If you put pressure on them they might make a mistake."

McLaren, too, have raised their game. Kimi Raikkonen would have claimed a hat-trick of wins a fortnight ago had a tyre problem not led to a spectacular crash on the last lap of the European Grand Prix. Williams have overcome aerodynamic deficiencies with their FW27 car which is now rated as the second fastest in outright speed behind Renault.

And the £225million Toyota are said to be investing in a serious Formula One challenge this season - the second biggest investment behind Ferrari's £238m - is paying dividends with their Italian Jarno Trulli third in the drivers' championship and the team third in the constructors' title race.