Michael Schumacher has reiterated his aim of winning the world championship for an eighth time following a disappointing comeback season with Mercedes.
Schumacher told his official website:
Fighting for the world championship is still our goal, it can only be like this. Hey, we are Mercedes! But this is a three-year project, and even if obviously it would be nicer if it worked out sooner, we are talking about competing at the absolute peak of motorsport.
You cannot just come along, put a new team together and beat everybody. But you can be sure that we are working very hard with all our combined power to achieve our aims.
Michael Schumacher
The team switched its efforts to its 2011 car early on this year and Schumacher expects that will pay dividends next year:
Knowing our developments for the new year 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.
Michael Schumacher
He added he is not concerned by criticism of his driving in 2010, having finished 70 points behind team mate Nico Rosberg:
That is okay for me, and I haven’t looked good all the time either. I can live with criticism very well, you just have to differentiate it and it can bring you forward as well.
What is much more important is that I deeply enjoy building what we are building here at this team and that is always the best base for success because you do not need to question the motivation.
And please don’t get me wrong here; you don’t question the seriousness either. I can’t wait already to get the new season started.
Michael Schumacher
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Ben Needham (@ben-n)
22nd December 2010, 11:57
I really can’t stop believing that he will win another title. His entire attitude this year has been confident about 2011. I would be amazed if he doesn’t at least add to his 91 wins. I can’t wait to see him on the podium again.
Although, if his 2011 is as average (not poor…) as his 2010 season, then he must start to worry about his place in the team. Mind you… if the 2011 Merc is a bullet then i’m sure much of it is due to Schumacher being in the team.
Snaiperskaya (@mgp-w01)
22nd December 2010, 12:03
I completely agree with you, i do hope Mercedes are better next year. I just like the way Schumacher was this season, always smiling and looking like he’s having a good time.
Of couse, the move he did on Barrichello was unacceptable. But, he’s always been like that and i doubt he’s going to change. As he says, he just a racer who wants to win.
And to people who say the comeback has ruined his reputation, how can it? He’s still a 7 time world champion and still (mathematiclly) the greatest driver ever.
Daniel
22nd December 2010, 12:22
Well he has changed a little. He apologised for his move on Barrichello. As far as I know he never even apologised for the move on JV. that’s either personal growth or it is PR. Even if it is just PR he was never concerned about such things before. He’s pretty thick skinned.
Ben Needham (@ben-n)
22nd December 2010, 12:34
The difference here being that between a WDC and death!
He nearly deprived Villeneuve of a WDC, he nearly deprived Barrichello of his life!
Or am I being overdramatic!?
Despite not liking Schumacher particularly in previous years, I really wanted him to do well this year. Would love to see him winning next year.
Noelinho
22nd December 2010, 18:13
Yes, you’re being rather melodramatic. Barrichello’s life was not in danger. He nearly got taken out of the race, not nearly carted off to the morgue.
It would have been nothing compared to Barrichello’s horrendous accident at Imola in 1994.
That said, Schumacher demonstrated very aptly that he is as ruthless as ever.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
22nd December 2010, 18:57
Funnily enough, last night I had a dream. It was the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix and Schumacher mucked up going into the last corner, swerving away from the apex but then swerving back again so he cut on the inside. This gave him better acceleration down the straight and he started to catch Massa and then overtook him. As the move was completed, Massa clipped his right front against Michael’s left rear and was sent spinning. his car crashed and blew up in a ball of flames.
Disturbing.
Bruno
22nd December 2010, 19:15
Go Schumi! I still believe you can win the championship again!!
Steph (@)
23rd December 2010, 11:08
Did Massa win Icthyes? :) :P
Monad (@)
23rd December 2010, 15:09
Icthyes, when you start dreaming like that then you know you’ve seen too much F1. You need rehabilitation.
Chris RBR
22nd December 2010, 15:18
Mathematicaly been the big word, he is up there but not an all time great!!
and do you not think is Schumacher didnt have his move on barrichello we would of all been saying ‘He is not the driver he use to be’ Drivers like Schumacher put it on the line, and all the greats did Senna the biggest name. more drivers should take the style no one is getting past me
David-A (@david-a)
22nd December 2010, 19:27
Of course he is an all time great.
It’s debatable whether he is or was the greatest ever, but based on past driving and achievments, he is at least one of the all time greats along with Prost, Senna, Clark, Fangio.
nivek252 (@nivek252)
22nd December 2010, 12:01
Would love to see him back on the podium again too
smifaye (@)
22nd December 2010, 12:17
This is really promising for Mercedes, remember what happened when Honda decided to start work on the next years car early.
The only thing is, I’m not sure its going to be Michael winning, more likely to be Nico Rosberg for me. He has really impressed and deserves a great car underneath him.
I really hope Mercedes are up there with Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari so we can have a four way battle for the title. We can finally have the British team vs the German team if they step up.
Dan Newton
22nd December 2010, 16:15
I remember that BMW did the same in ’08. And what it got them in 2009..
Roberto
22nd December 2010, 23:05
But it worked with Honda, partly because they had Ross Brawn. Remember Brawn GP didn’t had any sponsors until later in the season, and they were fighting for the title, so they didnt have any resources to develop the 2010 car. And even then they managed to put a pretty decent car. So now, with Mercedes actively involved, and with development having already began in mid season, there’s a good chance they’ll have a car to fight for the title
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
22nd December 2010, 12:21
Will we see the “Michael’s Magic’ in 2011? Won’t I love that.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
22nd December 2010, 12:28
See, this is what I like abut Schumacher. He’s got that self-efficacy gene in full effect. I’ve never known a driver so tuned-in to his surroundings as he is. Sure, Senna had it on the track, but Schumacher has it off the circuit as well. He’s aware of exactly what is going on around him at all times. He probably does it in his sleep. If it were any other driver who claimed that they could take a World Championship in three years, I’d write themm off – but I think that if anybody can do it, Schumacher can.
BasCB (@bascb)
22nd December 2010, 15:05
I think Schumacher will help Mercedes get into world championship contention before he quits.
Just not too sure it will be him doing the winning, as I think Rosberg might be the one reaping the ultimate rewerds here (with Schumi winning some races as well).
But that does not mean it is less of a stellar job. He did get Ferrari back on the board and if he manages to do the same for Mercedes it would be a real acheivement.
I hope he has a lot of fun doing it and makes us see his good sides on track as well.
Ben Needham (@ben-n)
22nd December 2010, 15:39
I disagree, I think Michael had the measure of Rosberg in the races following the (dreadful for Schumacher) Singapore GP. His last few races were very impressive. He still has it, and I think he will be in front of Rosberg next season, both in the WDC and within the team.
Dianna
22nd December 2010, 18:04
Ben N you are my man :) You got it in one.Yes Rosberg did some good work,but as you say Schumacher had the upper hand in the last third of the past season.
Rosberg will NEVER be another Schumacher,in 10 years time you will not look back and say Rosberg won 91 races,let alone 7 WDC’s under his belt.
Michael Schumacher is a Brilliant Driver,a TRUE Maverick,there will never be anothe……..and, as for an earlier post in this thread where it was brought up yet AGAIN how MSC tried to Kill Rubens……get real for goodness sake!!
Rubens had a choice,he knew what he was doing,he “milked” that move for all he was worth. until in the end it backfired on him, and he has lost many fans because of his constant whining and wingeing.
Yes,Schumi is the one who will fly next year.It is great to have him back,as the sport was getting really boring without him.
Bruno
22nd December 2010, 19:20
Dianna you’re a gal! Yes, i agree with you and Ben. Given the right car. He’s unbeatable!!! wow, can’t wait to see him winning again :)
Demon Hill
23rd December 2010, 14:47
Rubens call himself down to earth…… I’m not sure what that means in Brazil ;-)
Todfod (@todfod)
23rd December 2010, 6:12
Yep I think the more obvious goal for Schumacher is to develop the Mercedes team into a title winning & front running team. Over the entire length of the season, I just cannot see Schumi matching Rosberg. He will be quicker at a few circuits, but Rosberg should beat him pretty convincingly at the others.
Lets just hope Schumi doesn’t try and design the car and the team around himself, because it is highly unlikely he will win that 8th title. Mercedes would be better off putting their money on Rosberg.
John H
23rd December 2010, 21:36
I’m pretty sure Senna ‘had it off the circuit’ to be honest.
Don Mateo
22nd December 2010, 12:45
Maybe Mercedes can build a WC-winning car, but if they do, I don’t think Schumacher will be the one lifting the crown. To do that he’d have to beat Rosberg, and on the basis of this year I don’t see that happening.
Snaiperskaya (@mgp-w01)
22nd December 2010, 17:27
I think he could beat Rosberg. Remember, Schumacher was average this year because of the front tyres, it didn’t suit his driving style.
And the proof that it was the tyres is to be seen by the peformances of Massa, he struggled all year because of the front tyres and as everyone knows he was mentored by Schumacher.
It may be the reason why he was off form or it may be because he is 41 years old, although personally i think it has nothing to do with it. (i’m not saying that because i’m old, i’m only 15)
Mike (@mike)
22nd December 2010, 13:16
As soon as I saw Alonso in second which meant Hamilton was first, I knew, That Keith would have to put up with weeks of attacks about him being British, (You evil fiend).
So I’m rather impressed that he actually stuck to his guns and published it this way.
On the actual result, I think Vettel was the quickest driver in the quickest car.
So I think 3rd is a fair representation of how much better he simply should have done at times.
As for Alonso, He was at times was epic, but sometimes, he simply didn’t look to have that desire. I think this is as he is getting older, I think most older drivers tend to lose that aggressiveness. (Rubens excluded). On the other hand, he did epicically (is that a word?) at times, and I fear that as long as Ferrari gives him a half decent car, he’ll take the title next year…
About Hamilton. He did, some very, very stupid things. But they pale next to what I think he did with that car. Many look at how Button and Webber compared to their team mates and think Webber and Button are just not up to it, but I think it’s the other way around. Hamilton has a special touch, he can do things he shouldn’t be able to do. Many times this year it was him doggedly chasing down the faster car ahead, hanging on for dear life. And that is why he was the greatest driver.
I really love this series of articles, I think you did a great job with them, And I doubt most people would want to move any driver up or down very much. Thank you for what I think is a very good balanced view of the season!
Adrian J (@adrian-j)
22nd December 2010, 20:18
I think you posted this in the wrong thread…
Bruno
22nd December 2010, 22:37
I wonder if Keith can transfer Mike’s comment to the right thread… We can understand him maybe he is sleepy when he type this thing. :)
Chotazas
23rd December 2010, 14:22
haha good appointment but not on this post.
antonyob
22nd December 2010, 13:21
ah bless, we shouldnt come down too heavily on him, hes an old man now.
but seriously he can do it and the Barrichello thing has been done to death (excuse the pun) so leave that please.
If the car is to his liking then he’ll be up there but it is interesting that he, a bit like Button, has to have a car in their sweet spot. Whereas someone like Barrichello can hustle anything round but perhaps hits a wall (oops! sorry another unintentional pun) earlier even if the car is perfect.
verstappen
22nd December 2010, 15:49
I’ve been thinking that maybe Schumi lost an important skill in his succes-era: adjusting to a car.
When he came at Ferrari he clearly had that skill and impressed even in a dog of a car. But then the cars and the tyres were build around his liking for years, so I guess the adjusting to a car-skill just wore of.
And we didn’t realise it (he didn’t realise it) untill now.
So that leaves us with the probability that the tyres and the car will be better adjusted to him … and then he should indeed be able to grab the title.
And only when the car is good for Schumi, we will know more about how fast Nico really is. Because maybe Nico is lacking in speed, but outperforming Schumi because of this very same adjustment skills!
verstappen
22nd December 2010, 15:50
How long untill the first race?
Skanda
27th December 2010, 19:25
Nico and the current crop of drivers have been 3 years driving on the new brdigestone slicks. Michael started after 3 years, and by the third of the season was bettering Nico. That shows how adaptable schumi still is!! Cant wait for the next season to roll on!
Joey-Poey (@joey-poey)
22nd December 2010, 15:55
This year will be the big test, to me. All I heard was “it’s the tires, it’s the 3 year break, it’s the car” and so on and so forth and a myriad of excuses. For being supposedly “the greatest” I would have expected him to be able to adapt to the car, the tires and the new drivers a bit quicker. Or to gradually get more used to them at the least. If he’s still mid-pack and behind Rosberg this year, I say it’s time for him to give up the ghost. I don’t deny there’s still a chance for him to win another championship or stand atop the podium, but after this year, I am skeptical.
jeroen
22nd December 2010, 17:25
He is not gonna win another championship. If he would, it would be painfull for F1. No 42 or 43 year old should win a title in a highly competitive sport.
Adrian J (@adrian-j)
22nd December 2010, 20:21
Why?
I would think that it would be a good thing. It would say to the world “Hey look, here we have sportsmen so dedicated, so fit, that they can even win when they’re in their 40’s”.
Let me ask you this: How old was Mansell when he won his WDC, or Hill, or Prost when he won his last..??
jeroen
23rd December 2010, 11:11
Mansell was 39, Damon was 36 and Prost was 38. And neither of these guys retired for 3 years.
If it would take Michael 3 years, as he says, than he is gonna be 43 if he takes the crown. It would be as remarkable as it would be a big defeat for a sport wich is highly regarded as topsport.
Having said that, I don’t think he is gonna be able to beat an ultrafit Alonso, Vettel or Hamilton in the prime of their lives. The Fangio days are long gone.
Chotazas
23rd December 2010, 14:11
Ehr.. Schumacher is ultra fit, he created new standards for physical training in F1 in the 90´s and today he is among the most fit on the grid after three years out. Sid Watkins and lot of FIA doctors had talk about it a lot of times i the past and this season. He has obsession for training. I think if he beats everyone or not it wouldn´t depends of it. I don´t think if he wins at his 43 it would be bad for F1, it would prove Shchumacher force of willness which is other of Schumi stronger points. Think about other F1 champion or driver living in Switzerland at his 40 with lots of millions, luxuries and fame returning to F1. I think nobody would do the same.
OmarR-Pepper (@)
22nd December 2010, 18:13
“You cannot just come along, put a new team together and beat everybody” Well, Ross Brawn did it last year. Shcum has the spirit for sure, but let’s see if he can beat fresh talent, the years don’t pass for nothing, and even when Fangio and some others became champions older than him, these are different times, more G-force, more strenght demmanded… I don’t know. Obviously F1 fans want to see him on the battle again, against all the other champions, but time’s ticking and it’s going to be tougher for him
Icthyes (@icthyes)
22nd December 2010, 18:51
No, he didn’t. The only thing different about Brawn from Honda was the lack of Japanese executives controlling the purse strings.
Chotazas
23rd December 2010, 14:17
Agree. People usually thinks about Honda before Brawn being something like HRT or Virgin, and suddenly oh! WCC and WDC. It´s magic! without a lot of millions and tecnology! It was a huge achievement but only because they had no Honda funds to develop the car during the season. That was the great achievement, fight along a season with a great car without development against RedBull and Ferrari-McLaren sometimes.
gideon
22nd December 2010, 18:27
next year schumy will be better
Adrian J (@adrian-j)
22nd December 2010, 20:24
I wasn’t a Schumacher fan until this year.
This year I’ve seen a side to him that I never saw before – I’ve really seen him as the teambuilder and leader that he obviously was before.
And for those saying that they think that Rosberg is more likely to win a Mercedes WDC than Schumi. Well, while I don’t doubt that Michael would rather he win an 8th than Nico as 1st, I honestly think that he would be pleased for Nico and proud of what he’d done to build the team up.
Kyle
23rd December 2010, 11:00
Good point Adrian.. He is stronger next year with the right car..
John H
23rd December 2010, 21:39
He’s too old to learn how to drive without TC again. My stance on this hasn’t changed for a year and probably won’t change again… but I’m willing to be proved wrong!
Electrolite
23rd December 2010, 23:49
The progress of Schumacher and Mercedes over the next two seasons is going to be fascinating. Let alone Nico Rosberg and what he’ll get up to. One of the things I want most to happen in 2011 is for both of these drivers to win a race. It will be very special with either one.
5150
24th December 2010, 14:38
I am very sorry but… Lmfao, lol, hahahaha!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Me likes F1 fanatic.