• Mercedes news

Schumacher targets wins in 2011

ESPNF1 Staff
December 2, 2010 « Maldonado 'ready' for F1 | »
Michael Schumacher sees light at the end of the tunnel © Sutton Images
Enlarge
Related Links

Michael Schumacher says he thinks it will be possible to win races in 2011 despite failing to appear on the podium in his disappointing comeback to the sport in 2010.

The seven-time world champion was comprehensively out-qualified and out-raced by young compatriot and team-mate Nico Rosberg this year. But Schumacher thinks that with a year of teething troubles out of the way, the well funded Mercedes outfit will be in a much better position in 2011.

"We are clearly in a better situation now because of the immense support from Mercedes," Schumacher told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "But we cannot presume to think that we will be fighting for the championship. We will make a big leap forward and - if all goes well - win races."

Schumacher added that many of his problems with the car were not experienced by Rosberg and that the issues he encountered were not easily apparent to the public.

"In retrospect, there were things; my floor was burned because of the exhaust being too hot, or the F-duct working in places where it should not. There were many [issues], resulting from the fact that we are in a restructuring phase but we still wanted to go for the title.

"At Spa my F-duct didn't work, but I didn't say anything. At Suzuka it happened again - a problem with my car but not with Nico's. I said to Norbert [Haug] and Ross [Brawn] that it was time for an explanation of the reasons."

Schumacher confirmed that another main cause for his struggles was due to his driving style not suiting the Bridgestone tyre and that in 2011, with Pirelli, he hopes to be more competitive.

"I prefer to speak inside the team, and I am convinced that in 2011 the problems will exist no more. The car was a compromise. With the tyre, it was difficult for me to drive how I wanted to."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices