Schumacher: We will be able to make a ‘powerful leap forward’ in 2011

Dec.07 (GMM) Seven time world champion Michael Schumacher consider Mercedes GP will be able to make a ‘powerful leap forward’ in 2011 and he is hopeful the Brackley-based team will again be able to fight it out at the front of the grid and challenge the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren. Schumacher struggled in 2010 and after three years in retirement, his comeback season was no fairytale.

Certainly he was comprehensively beaten by his team-mate, Nico Rosberg and scored around half as many points. Despite that though, the 41-year-old is convinced he will be able to do better in 2011.

“I was away from the sport for three years. I am not 25 anymore, but 41. The car was a compromise and together with the structure of the tyres it was difficult to drive in such a way as I would like,” Schumacher told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

“I braked as late as possible and tried to take as much speed into the corners as possible. But with these tyres, on our car, you had to make compromises and it is not always simple.

"There were many question marks throughout the season. But I am convinced they will not be there in 2011. We are clearly in a better situation for next year, because of the immense support from Mercedes.

"Nevertheless we must not be presumptuous that we will automatically fight for the championship. We will make a powerful leap forward – and, if everything goes well, we will win.”

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