Schumi could be part of 2013 season also

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Michael Schumacher can extend his contract with Mercedes GP Petronas which will end in 2012.

Michael, 42, is the oldest man on grid but the most experienced and successful driver in the history.

"I have nothing to prove to anyone about my age - I just have to prove to myself that I am still able to do it!"

He came back to F1 last year after three years away from the sport. And hopes were high when he announced his comeback: “I am convinced we will be involved in the fight for the Formula One World Championship 2010,” he said when he signed with the new Mercedes on December 23 2009.

But, The Seven Time World Champion struggled whole season with underperforming Mercedes MGP W01.

The challenge Michael Schumacher faces in 2011 is enormous. He has to turn his somewhat underwhelming comeback around and prove that - at 42 years by far the oldest driver in the field - he can still compete with the best in Formula One. And beat them.

With little potential in the disappointing 2010 MGP W01 model, Mercedes was the first team to focus on their 2011 campaign.

“It's going very well and everybody is working very hard on our preparations for the 2011 season,” Schumacher says. “The whole team is motivated and we are confident that next year will take us a good step forward. So, knowing our developments for 2011 makes me confident that we can fight for some race victories from our own power. This is a prospect which makes me look forward to competing again.”

“Fighting for the world championship is still our goal,” Schumacher insists. “It can only be like this. Hey, we are Mercedes!”

Currently, the German has signed a three year contract with the team. This means even after the upcoming 2011 season, he will have a chance to run another season with the squad. The competition director at Mercedes, Norbert Haug, admitted earlier today that he would love to see the legendary racer with the team for a long time.

He explained, “If Michael wants it and we can agree on a right price — with pleasure.”

"We have the ideal team with tremendous bite and will, but also with a lot of mutual respect. Nico learns from Michael and Michael from Nico."

Moreover, the two-time World Champion and Ferrari driver, Fernando Alonso also proclaimed that Schumacher was still the most dangerous man on the track. While the Red Bull driver and the reigning World Champion, Sebastian Vettel also predicted a strong season ahead for the driver.