• Monaco Grand Prix

Schumacher hopeful of competitive race

Michael Schumacher is chasing his first podium since returning to Formula One in 2010 © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Monaco Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Michael Schumacher believes he can have a competitive race in Monaco despite being set to take a five place grid penalty.

Schumacher was penalised following a clash with Bruno Senna in the Spanish Grand Prix, meaning he will start the race this weekend five places lower on the grid than he qualifies. Although he admitted that the nature of the track would make it difficult to progress, he believes Mercedes is suited to the circuit and will be able to find a way of moving forward.

"Basically I think we're going to be in a position to be competitive," Schumacher said. "As a general track profile I think it's going to suit ourselves, and I have been coming from the complete back and got forward to fifth position I think (in 2006 after being penalised for stopping on track during qualifying). Let's see from where I manage to finally qualify and start the race and what can be done. It's certainly not ideal but it is what it is and I'll look forward - I'm going to have some excitement pretty certainly."

Schumacher added that having a car that he feels comfortable with will be the key to success.

"Monaco is certainly special and it is something about you and the car that you just have to get every detail together - as you have to at every track - but here it just pays out more. To have the rhythm, the flow, the momentum here, if you've got that it just pays out much bigger lap time than other tracks because everything is so critical and difficult here."

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