Schumacher: Mercedes is still hungry

Although this was not the seven times world champion's first visit to Mercedes Grand Prix's base, as he had also visited when finalising his deal to return to Formula 1, this trip marked the start of his serious work with the team.

"I have been in the factory in Brackley now for two days and spent the time to get to know the engineers and the structures a bit better, and I am extremely positively surprised about how motivated everybody was," Schumacher wrote on his personal website.

"This a world champion team but it does not seem to be spoilt by success at all; it seems to be hungry for more instead!"

He said he had learned a lot more about Mercedes while working with the team this week.

"It is important for me to be informed about everything and it was very interesting to get to understand the engineers and their structures and the way they work," said Schumacher. "I was there already around the time of the signature of the contract and learned a lot, now I have seen much more about the team."

Having also visited Mercedes' engine facility in Brixworth, Schumacher added that he was already enjoying working with a German-speaking organisation having spent his original F1 career with British and Italian squads.

"I also was in the Mercedes factory in Brixworth and I have to say that I am very impressed about the high level you see there," he said.

"In Brixworth the people seem to be highly motivated as well and I find that encouraging, as it perfectly fits my personal mood.

"What I also liked was that you hear a lot of people speaking German there. That is nice for once, I am not so much used to that at my work, and I find it quite convenient."