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Schumacher 'like a child looking forward to Christmas'
ESPNF1 Staff
March 7, 2010
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Michael Schumacher talks with Ross Brawn after the final round of testing in Spain © Sutton Images
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After two-and-a-half months of speculation, Michael Schumacher will return to grand prix action in Bahrain next weekend with Mercedes, and he admitted to feeling "like a child looking forward to Christmas" at the prospect.
"The decision to make my comeback feels like a long time ago now and I can hardly wait for the season to get underway in Bahrain," he said. "It's funny to think that I will be competing in Formula One again when just a few months ago, I would have declined the opportunity categorically. But sometimes things change and the right circumstances come together.
"I feel fresher than I have for many years. I am perfectly prepared physically and most importantly, my energy is back completely. When I retired in 2006, my batteries were simply empty. Now they are totally recharged and I am ready for the challenge.
"It's the competition at the highest level that only Formula One offers which has provided the temptation for me."
Ross Brawn was optimistic about Mercedes' chances. "Knowing that we go into the new season as the reigning world champions gives the team confidence and a fierce pride to defend our position. However, this is a new season and a new challenge."
He added that the first race was coming a little too early and some more time would have been welcomed. "We had a strong pre-season testing programme but we are not quite reached the level of preparation that we would have liked prior to Bahrain. The car shows promise and we have a strong development programme planned for the season but there is a lot of hard work ahead to ensure that we will be in the fight for the title."
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