Schumacher sets his sights on eighth title

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER has set his sights on winning an eighth world title after beginning work on his Formula One comeback in Jerez this week.

Schumacher agreed to come out of his retirement from the sport after being convinced to join the Mercedes team by boss Ross Brawn, and the 41-year-old admits he would not have agreed to return if he did not feel he could be competitive.

Schumacher, who has signed a three-year deal with Mercedes, clocked up over 100 laps at the Spanish circuit on Tuesday and Wednesday in a GP2 car. And the seven-time world champion is convinced he can challenge for honours once again.

“We have a clear aim in our long-term plan and that is for me to become world champion with Mercedes GP,” he said.

“Maybe it won’t happen immediately in the first year, but it is a realistic aim over the three years.”

Schumacher had been set to drive for Ferrari last summer, as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa, but a neck injury prevented him from taking his place in the team. But he admits that the chance to drive in Formula One again reignited his passion for the sport, after he had initially ruled out a return.

“When I turned 40, I actually ruled out making a comeback for good,” he revealed.

“I was more bored than frustrated at all of my recent visits to races. But then there was that situation in the summer and then Ross Brawn’s enquiry in November.”

But while admitting his neck did feel a bit sore after testing the GP2 car this week, Schumacher is looking surprisingly fit and not displaying his age which will make him Formula One’s oldest driver during the coming season.

“That is down to the excellent care from my wife Corinna,” he quipped. “She keeps me young and fit. Somehow, I seem to have managed to make myself look a bit younger than I am. Maybe I have good genes.”

And Fernando Alonso believes Schumacher will quickly find his feet. Speaking at Ferrari’s annual pre-season winter event in Italy, Alonso said: “I don’t think there’s going to be a big problem for him, because we are all very competitive drivers.

“When you go back to a car after many years the times are the same that you did years ago.

“If you have experience and you have won in the past.. Michael has been one of the best in Formula One, so I don’t think much is going to change if you are 38 or 41.

“You are always the same and your competitive instinct is always the same.”

Alonso, who has 21 race wins to his name, added: “I think 2010 is going to be interesting for the fans. The return of Michael is only good for the sport.”

The Spanish driver, who is preparing for his first season at Ferrari, believes he will stay with the Italian stable for the remainder of his career.