The Ferrari has been uncompetitive for much of the year

The world champions have won their home race for the last three years, but have been uncompetitive in 2005.

Schumacher said he was "not sure if we can hope for a podium position or performance similar to Hungary", where he was on pole and finished second.

"We can compete for points. That can't be our true aim, but it's still a step back towards our old strength."

After their improved form in Hungary, Schumacher and Ferrari had a disastrous race last time out in Turkey.

The world champion was at the back of the grid after a mistake on his qualifying lap and retired after never being competitive in the race.

I'm optimistic that we'll be doing better again soon Michael Schumacher

"That was surely our worst performance this season, and also in a long time," said Schumacher.

"After Hungary we had thought that maybe we could turn things around and get back on the track of success, so therefore the race in Turkey was a major setback."

Schumacher said the team had shown "an improvement" in testing last week, but that he was still not confident of a strong showing in Monza, where he has won four times and been in the points in every race he has finished since 1991.

"The races that are coming up are all in places where we've been successful in the past and that we know well," said the 36-year-old German.

"I'm optimistic that we'll be doing better again soon."

After totally dominating in 2004, Ferrari have won just once this season - in the farcical US Grand Prix, in which only six cars competed following the decision of the Michelin-equipped teams to pull out because of tyre-safety concerns.