• 2010 Launch

Schumacher snaps at media

ESPNF1 Staff
January 26, 2010 « US F1 confirms Jose Maria Lopez for debut season | »
Ross Brawn insists that Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg will have equal status © Sutton Images
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Questions over the manner he won his seven world championships got under the skin of Michael Schumacher at the Mercedes launch on Monday.

During the course of a media session, Schumacher was asked if he was returning to F1 to prove he could win without resorting to questionable tactics. He replied frostily: "Ninety-one victories, seven titles, you win only in a bad way … yeah, you're right, I need to prove [myself] now."

When the journalist explained the question was about the style of his winning rather than the cold numbers, Schumacher replied: "Yeah, I know. I did win all this in the manner in which you are trying to ask questions."

A major topic at the event in Stuttgart was the balance of power between Schumacher and team-mate Nico Rosberg, and whether the 24-year-old should be regarded as Schumacher's No. 2.

"The No. 1 driver is the fastest one - whoever is winning races," team boss Ross Brawn insisted. "We'll give maximum support to both drivers."

That policy will be seen for the first time next Monday, when Rosberg and Schumacher share the wheel of the new MGP W01 car on the opening day of the Valencia test.

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