Schumacher: I’m highly motivated and getting to where I can get the most out of the car
11 July, 2012
Michael Schumacher not sounding as if he is quitting F1 anytime soon
Jul.11 (GMM) Seven time world champion Michael Schumacher sounds in no mood to hang up his helmet just yet, despite speculation that he might not continue beyond 2012, and send the Formula One driver market into a frenzy.
The contract he signed ahead of the 2010 season, which pulled him out of retirement and back onto the grid with Mercedes, is set to expire. Whether or not he inks a new one is now regarded as the key to the 2013 driver market.
Mercedes could be interpreted as applying pressure on the 43-year-old to make a decision, given that it is believed the great German has a unilateral option to extend.
At the same time, the German marque has admitted its interest in reuniting with its former DTM protege Paul di Resta, who has impressed at Mercedes-powered Force India.
“The time will come,” Schumacher was quoted on Wednesday by Sport Bild, “when my focus goes once again onto something else.”
He is referring to 2006, when he quit Ferrari and F1, admitting that his motivation had waned. But that was off the back of an unprecedented run of success, including the utter dominance of 2000-2004, when he won every drivers’ title on offer.
Second time around, and Schumacher admits that he has “achieved very little” since coming back. At Valencia recently, he finally returned to the podium.
“My first thought was ‘I did it’, but then it was the feeling that I wanted to be on the higher steps,” he smiled.
But he insists that, three seasons into his comeback, he is finally happy at the wheel of his silver single seater.
“I am getting to the point where I can get the most out of the car. That wasn’t necessarily the case before,” said Schumacher.
So does he have the hunger to keep on racing?
“I’m highly motivated,” said the record winner of 91 grands prix, adding that he is happy with his current job. “That’s because the main part of the work is what I enjoy the most: racing the car.”
Subbed by AJN.
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Have been a Schumacher fan for many years..and yes he can still deliver the goods..his worth lies in developing a car,but sadly with testing gone he must also rely on gadget-era technology rather than skills alone.
I think that it would be a shame for Michael to quit now as I have seen him show that he still has what it takes to win and now he has become relaxed and human he is not the person I hated.
I would like to see him on the top step with Mercedes and Brawn before he drives off in to the sunset.
sign him again for the next 5yrs!
I have noticed that since Mercedes/Braun said they will do everything to help Schumacher that Rosberg has fallen off badly.
Me thinks Mercedes has put all their eggs in Schumacher’s basket at the expense of Rosberg.
Schumacher’s sell by date has long ago expired.
maybe if you stop enjoying it would lead you to focus more and start winning again, that is the schuey we all love to see again! you can enjoy later after winning. can that be? yes, you can! go win it again!