Michael Schumacher: I am still good enough for Formula 1
Michael Schumacher's 2010 comeback was so woeful at times there were rumours of him retiring if things did not go right in pre-2011 testing.
Mercedes GP driver, Michael Schumacher brushed off all speculations suggesting his age was the reason of a poor campaign last season. Schumacher insisted that he was not too old to be at the top of his game in Formula 1 and assured he would get back to his best soon.
While talking to the media earlier today, the legendary racer admitted that age did matter, but proclaimed that he is still physically and psychologically strong enough to handle the challenges of Formula 1.
Schumacher admitted in an interview, “Certainly it is not possible to turn back the biological clock. It is a fact that I am not absolutely the same now as I was 10 or 15 years ago. But as to whether I am still good enough, I would say yes.”
In terms of physical performance, few drivers match up to Michael Schumacher, despite his age compared to the younger competition. He has always been at the top level of fitness, and he has already stated that this is no different this year to last.
The seven-time World Champion, Schumacher, is statistically the best racer ever in the sport.
The German joined the grids in 1991 and was able to bag the first championship of his career only after his third full season in the sport, followed by another one, the very next year.
Later, as the driver moved to Ferrari, and got a better car, there was no stopping him. From 2000 until 2004, Schumacher claimed five consecutive Championships, dominated almost all the race tracks and made records year after year.
However, at the end of the 2006 season, he announced his retirement, but only to return back after three years.
A huge fanfare and hype was created at his return for the 2010 Formula 1 season. However, the season was nothing more than a disappointment for the driver and his team.
Nevertheless, the 42-year-old not only decided to stay in the sport and complete his three year contract with the team, but also revealed a strong desire to bag another Championship before leaving the sport once for all.
While explaining his abortive 2010 season, Schumacher blamed the Mercedes GP car for not suiting his driving style. He said, "I came on board in December 2009 and the engineers knew already that the car would not suit me… But, of course, it was done."
The biggest stated reason for Schumacher's lack of pace in 2010 was the lack of grip from the front end of the Mercedes W01. This was partly due to the Bridgestone tyres and partly due to the car's design - and both combined to make life difficult for Schumacher.
Ross Brawn explained recently that last year's machine suffered badly from mid-corner understeer and if the set-up was changed to remove that, the car became too skittish on entry for Schumacher to handle. This was particularly noticeable in the slower corners - and with those taking longer to execute that is where significant lap-time was lost.
The driver is now looking forward to a strong 2011 season, hoping to finish many of the races on the podium and bag a few race wins too.
Mercedes, however, have a major new upgrade coming before the opening race of the season and that could spring a surprise performance level that their form so far has hidden. If they do, Schumacher could be well-placed this year to make the most of it.
This year, not only have the new Pirelli front tyres been developed to be stronger and give more precise input when driver turns in, but more importantly Mercedes has improved the range of balance of their car between corner entry and mid corner.
It appears Schumacher is happy with the new approach, stating he was "totally comfortable" after first test, and after the German managed 226 laps in the Jerez test, team boss Ross Brawn noted consistency of response to set-up changes as one of the car's biggest plus points.
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