Formula One

Schumi ready for title fight

2010-03-08 16:20

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Michael Schumacher (AFP)

Berlin - Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher warned Monday he is ready to fight for success when he returns to Formula One with Mercedes GP this weekend.

The 41-year-old signed a three-year deal with the German outfit before Christmas and is looking forward to bidding for his eighth world drivers' championship title starting with Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix.

"Absolutely, yes," Schumacher wrote on his website when asked if he was ready to fight for the title.

"This is what I am here for, and I am confident we can play a role in this fight.

"If we win it at the end will be a different question, as always in sports.

"But our entire team is extremely motivated, as am I."

Mercedes took over Brawn GP last year and with current world champion Jenson Button switching to McLaren, Schumacher will race alongside team-mate Nico Rosberg.

He will be reunited with Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, who oversaw all seven of his world titles at Benetton and Ferrari, and Schumacher is hoping the Mercedes Silver Arrow car will be his key to another global crown.

"The guys have won both titles last year, and now, with Mercedes Power on board, they want to repeat this success," said Schumacher who retired in 2006.

"We all want to win.

"The season will be long and hard, no doubt about that, but I love this fight - it is because of this fight that I came back to Formula One."

However, he played down expectations of immediate success, saying: "I said it quite clear from the beginning: we do not have to - and probably will not - be in the position to win right from the start."

Your Comments

#(F)1 Fan3/10/2010 12:50 PM: People forget that Schumi was not JUST a great driver, but also a great team leader and an exceptional technical expert. He was renowned for setting up the Benetton and Ferrari cars to his needs. Thats why, for most seasons, he was miles ahead of his team mates. If the Silver Arrows are off the pace in Schumi's hands then, lets face it, it is a slow car. This season promises much, lets hope the other "STARS" deliver as well.

Ortos3/10/2010 7:37 AM: @Birgit, Just being the realist.......................... @ArtGee (Alonso Fan), I reckon the old man is going to surprise a lot of people, remember he has nothing to prove and lots to gain.

@Andrew3/9/2010 9:31 PM: I wish you guys will just stop being such idiots, open your eyes just once! Michael changed F1, he is the best the sport has ever seen and probably will for a very long time! No matter what happened in the past or what conspiracies there might be about his carreer, look at the scoreboard. If you cannot grasp that simple fact then you are an idiot and way to stupit to watch or understand F1 anyway. Be thankful the man is back, F1 was a dying sport!

Birgit Bosch3/9/2010 3:09 PM: No excuses needed...... Schumi is going to race like he never has before in his life!!!

Sharkie433/9/2010 3:04 PM: I know the Mercedes are gonna be quick, but are they gonna be reliable and consistent.

Birgit Bosch3/9/2010 2:41 PM: @ Ortos. Ah come on!!! Let me Believe ;-)

Andrew3/9/2010 2:35 PM: @ Birgit, I look forward to Monday!!! Just don't start thinking up the excuses already k?? hahaha...

Ortos3/9/2010 12:35 PM: Ever heard the saying "dont count you chickens before yada yada.........."

Twigymil3/9/2010 12:20 PM: Can,t seem to see any names out there chasing their EIGHTH world F1 championship,can you? Oh yes there is ONE MICHAEL SCHUMACHER. Good luck Shumie you go boy.

Birgit Bosch3/9/2010 9:13 AM: @ Andrew. let talk after the first race....... He is going to do well. I am proud to be a Schumi fan.

Potatoe Head3/9/2010 8:49 AM: You GO my boy! I've always enjoyed watching Schumi and will continue to do so. So he gets his own way every now and again, so what, he has taken the trouble to make it happen for him, good for him then. I hope he shakes it up a little. What an awesome year with four F1 champions battling it out....can't wait come Sunday.

Chris3/8/2010 8:37 PM: Go schumi schumi schumi GO schumi schumi schumi GO schumi GO schumi GO!!!!! Its the fire from within that counts!!

Jo3/8/2010 8:35 PM: Go Michael! I think a lot of people are gonna have egg on their faces at the end of the season!

ArtGee (Alonso Fan)3/8/2010 6:54 PM: Only problem is the fact that Michael's NEMISES will be driving for Ferrari... Alonso beat Schummi in both his last two seasons in F1 for the World Championship... he was so broken he retired!! More than likely he will retire AGAIN at the end of this season... Go Alonso!!!!

JAD3/8/2010 6:25 PM: Michael will be there right at the top by the end of the season

Andrew3/8/2010 6:16 PM: in your dreams Michael!! even your team mate gonna kick ur ass, thats if u havent already had his contract changed so you can win!!

Natasha3/8/2010 5:43 PM: I would have been very sceptical if it wasn't for 2 facts.. 1, that he is back with master strategist Ross Brawn and 2, the fact that he is driving last years winning car. So I think he has a very good chance of being up there with the likes of Massa, Alonso, Button, Hamilton and Vettel. GOOD LUCK SCHUMI, we are all behind you... and if you don't make it to World Champion at the end of the season I hope it will be a Ferrari and not the arrogance of Hamilton and Button.

Boerseun3/8/2010 4:58 PM: He is in a great team.That might help.

Lolly3/8/2010 4:40 PM: You wish Michael!!!

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