• Mercedes news

Schumacher still eyeing title

Michael Schumacher told press in China his title ambitions were still alive © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News:
• Schumacher still a title threat - Alonso
  

• Drivers:
• Fernando Alonso
• |
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Michael Schumacher is still counting himself as a title contender despite a slow start to the season that has left him 30 points off championship leader Felipe Massa.

Schumacher has struggled to match the pace of team-mate Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, while his car has been slower than front runners Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren. However, this week Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso said he still saw Schumacher as a title contender.

When asked if he agreed, the seven-time champion said: "Indeed, yes I do. If you take the points system and you see that Fernando had a retirement in Malaysia, for whatever reason it can happen to all of us. I had mine in Malaysia and at one point of the season it will hit all the guys fighting for the championship.

"So if we have a quick enough development speed, there is no reason why we cannot fight for championship. It is such a long season ahead of us, it is so early, and we know how quick the rate of development is. There is good potential to develop this car, so no reason to think this season is over for Nico [Rosberg] and myself."

He added that his poor results in the opening rounds had masked a lot of good work going on behind the scenes.

"In terms of results, they were not as great as some people expected, and even myself I would have loved to have better results, but the competition is tough," he said. "It is natural to not have the same positive feedback in the media, but I know what I have been doing, I know what has been going on and I have no reason to be disappointed. I still feel very happy and if other people don't like it that is their choice."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.