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F1 legend relishing his return
Formula 1, 11:19, January 21, 2010 ,
Michael Schumacher claims he feels as good as ever and is looking forward to making his return to Formula One with Mercedes this year.
The 41-year-old seven-time champion has been enticed out of retirement to drive for the Mercedes camp, who won both world titles as Brawn last year, after three years out of the sport. And, despite a neck injury that Schumacher suffered in a motorcycle crash in February 2009 prevented him from standing in for Ferrari's Felipe Massa last season after the Brazilian fractured his skull in an accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the German insists he now fully fit.
Following a test run in a GP2 car in Spain last week Schumacher told his website: "I immediately felt well in the car. It was as if I never was gone."
On his neck problem, he added: "The after-effects of that accident have been gone for a long time - that's why I was sure that the neck would not cause any problems.
"This was one year ago; it's over.
"I have been practising physically very carefully since December and feel extremely fresh and fit.
"That was one of the reasons why I felt so good in the car in Jerez.
"But then Formula 1 is another thing. The g-forces are higher; it's not really comparable.
"That is why I look forward so much to testing [the new Mercedes F1 car] in February. Only then will the old feeling be completely back. I can't wait to be back there."