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Schumi sets sights on wide open title
Source: Agencies |
March 10, 2010, Wednesday
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ALTHOUGH Formula One has been galvanized by Michael Schumacher's return, the 41-year-old driver's comeback could turn out to be far trickier than imagined as he faces one of the most competitive fields in the sport's history.
Schumacher, who always did everything he could on the track to win, returns to the grid after three years on the sidelines with a newfound hunger pushing his bid for an eighth world title.
Although testing has put his Mercedes GP team in contention alongside favorites Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull, Schumacher only emerged with confidence right at the close of the preseason. He previously said the German car could not win this weekend's season-opener in Bahrain.
"I see it first of all as a three-year program," Schumacher said. "Secondly, it is important what happens at the end of the season and not the beginning of the season. If we are not in position to win the first two races I wouldn't be worried at all. If we are two seconds off the pace - OK, then I may start to worry."
Former champions Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, as well as promising drivers Sebastian Vettel and teammate Nico Rosberg, are all primed to race against Schumacher. Only Alonso and Button faced the German while he was at Ferrari.
"For me the age doesn't matter," Schumacher said. "I feel definitely different. If you see the guys I'm around with, most of the guys I feel like it's the good old days."
But age could be a big factor.
"He's not 22 any more. It's totally obvious that he's maybe not like he was, age-wise. That might be something that we might find out if it works against him," Red Bull driver Mark Webber said. "But you can never underestimate him, we know that. He's a very determined guy and I take my hat off to him."
Schumacher has always been guided by a cool, calculating demeanor and an unflinching driving style that bends to no one. That remains.
"He's very motivated, physically well," former Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello said. "The way he acts with the team, obviously I had to up my game to another level. Absolutely I became a better driver because of it."
New teammate Rosberg will be encouraged by some of those words as he attempts to prove himself against a man who easily sways the team his way.
"I've been feeling very comfortable in general, which has been good," Rosberg said. "(But) one has to be a bit careful with that because I'm up against one of the best of all time. It's going to be a great challenge this year to have such a strong teammate."
Webber expects Schumacher to be recharged following a three-year break after a 16-year career that included a record 91 wins but also featured ruthless actions to thwart rivals' chances, most notably against Jacques Villeneuve and Alonso.
There is no doubt about Schumacher's intentions, and how he will do everything possible to achieve them with his legacy on the line.
"I'm here to fight for it, yes," Schumacher said. "Whether we achieve it or not we'll see."
Schumacher, who always did everything he could on the track to win, returns to the grid after three years on the sidelines with a newfound hunger pushing his bid for an eighth world title.
Although testing has put his Mercedes GP team in contention alongside favorites Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull, Schumacher only emerged with confidence right at the close of the preseason. He previously said the German car could not win this weekend's season-opener in Bahrain.
"I see it first of all as a three-year program," Schumacher said. "Secondly, it is important what happens at the end of the season and not the beginning of the season. If we are not in position to win the first two races I wouldn't be worried at all. If we are two seconds off the pace - OK, then I may start to worry."
Former champions Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, as well as promising drivers Sebastian Vettel and teammate Nico Rosberg, are all primed to race against Schumacher. Only Alonso and Button faced the German while he was at Ferrari.
"For me the age doesn't matter," Schumacher said. "I feel definitely different. If you see the guys I'm around with, most of the guys I feel like it's the good old days."
But age could be a big factor.
"He's not 22 any more. It's totally obvious that he's maybe not like he was, age-wise. That might be something that we might find out if it works against him," Red Bull driver Mark Webber said. "But you can never underestimate him, we know that. He's a very determined guy and I take my hat off to him."
Schumacher has always been guided by a cool, calculating demeanor and an unflinching driving style that bends to no one. That remains.
"He's very motivated, physically well," former Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello said. "The way he acts with the team, obviously I had to up my game to another level. Absolutely I became a better driver because of it."
New teammate Rosberg will be encouraged by some of those words as he attempts to prove himself against a man who easily sways the team his way.
"I've been feeling very comfortable in general, which has been good," Rosberg said. "(But) one has to be a bit careful with that because I'm up against one of the best of all time. It's going to be a great challenge this year to have such a strong teammate."
Webber expects Schumacher to be recharged following a three-year break after a 16-year career that included a record 91 wins but also featured ruthless actions to thwart rivals' chances, most notably against Jacques Villeneuve and Alonso.
There is no doubt about Schumacher's intentions, and how he will do everything possible to achieve them with his legacy on the line.
"I'm here to fight for it, yes," Schumacher said. "Whether we achieve it or not we'll see."
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