"They are both fabulous drivers and formidable competitors, but I truly do believe that Fernando handles pressure better than Michael," said engineering head Pat Symonds, who helped Schumacher win his first two championships with Benetton in 1994 and 1995.

"Throughout his career, there have been many instances of Michael not performing to his potential when he has been under pressure," he added in a team preview for Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

"And I think the pressure for him is greater than ever in these last three races. Previously, he always had the safety net of trying again next year, if he didn't win. There is no 'next year' for him now."

Seven times champion Schumacher, 37, is retiring when the season ends in Brazil next month.

The German is two points adrift of Renault's Alonso, the 25-year-old Spaniard who has led the standings all season after last year becoming the youngest champion.

Ferrari are three ahead of Renault in the constructors' championship.

"There is plenty of pressure, and there's no point denying it. We do not have any margin for error in these three races, but that also makes our job a lot simpler," said Symonds.

"The only option is to race aggressively. Second places are no good at this stage of the season. And the same is true for Ferrari."

WOEFUL RECORD

While the momentum has been with Schumacher since the U.S. Grand Prix in July, with the German winning four of the six races and Alonso twice failing to finish, he has a woeful record in China and has yet to score a point in two races there.

Alonso won in China last year to secure the constructors' title after he had already won the drivers' crown, and Symonds suggested the trend could continue.

"Some people seem to think Renault is a spent force in this championship. That is far from the case," he said.

"We learned last year that momentum and psychological advantage are important, when we struck a decisive blow with our run of wins at the start of the championship.

"But the other thing I remember is the team's response to losing the lead of the constructors' championship in Brazil. Losing the lead merely redoubled our resolve to get it back, and we did so in style," added Symonds.

"That was probably the most satisfying aspect of last season, and the attitude now is "Okay, let's do it again"'.

Alonso was sidelined by an engine failure at Monza and Symonds said the problem had been identified and preventive measures taken.

He said the controversial Monza weekend, with Alonso penalised for allegedly blocking Ferrari's Felipe Massa in qualifying in a stewards' decision that baffled many observers, was "a completely closed chapter".