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Win this year would be 'very, very lucky' - Schumacher

Michael Schumacher is not expecting a victory in 2010 © Getty Images

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Michael Schumacher has admitted he will have to be "very, very lucky" to win a grand prix this season with Mercedes.

The seven-time champion has had a tough return to the sport, scoring just 36 points to team-mate Nico Rosberg's 90. Rosberg has been on the podium three times but Schumacher has so far failed to finish higher than fourth, and after the British Grand Prix, admitted that he does not think a win is likely.

"We will have to be very, very lucky to get a victory," he admitted.

But added he was confident he was doing a good job personally.

"I'm pretty happy with myself," he said. "We have made a few mistakes and there are some things we can improve, but all in all ... I don't think there are many who can return after a three year break at the age of 41."

Schumacher's Mercedes boss Norbert Haug has also defended him amid suggestions that he has tarnished his reputation by returning to F1. Eddie Jordan, Schumacher's first F1 employer back in 1991, this week described the German's decision to return to the sport as a "huge personal error".

"To pitch yourself against men 20 years younger than you is simply against the laws of physics and medicine," Jordan said.

But Haug hit back: "He [Schumacher] deserves our support, he fits with our team, he still has the speed. We believe in him, and so do his fans."

Meanwhile, Haug said he has no problem with Schumacher indulging in his hobby of motorcycling between races. According to the German tabloid Express, the seven-time world champion rented the Dijon-Prenois circuit in France this week in order to privately ride his 190bhp Honda CBR 1000 Fireblade. Also riding at the track were some of Schumacher's friends, including Luca Badoer and Sebastien Loeb.

Schumacher had to call off his intended return to F1 last year because he was still recovering from injuries sustained in a motorcycle testing crash. But Haug said he is not worried the same thing might reoccur.

"Michael can deal with the risk, and so can we," Haug said.

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