Q & A with Michael Schumacher

AUTOSPORT was there to hear the seven times world champion's analysis of his team's progress.

Q. How are you feeling as we get closer to the first race?

Michael Schumacher: We obviously have a very combined programme in order to get the car ready for the start of the season - there's 15 days' testing. Due to the fact that you have 15 days of testing you have a different approach, but you are prepared for this sort of circumstance. We all look forward to the first race - testing is nice, but racing is a different thing that we all look forward to, and we hope to be prepared properly.

Q. Do you feel like you will leave this test with a different car to what you started with? How is the development?

MS: Every time you come you develop the car, so it certainly changes. This is the nature of Formula 1, and normally you go faster.

Q. Do you think that in its current state, this car can make you challenge for wins from the first race?

MS: Maybe not.

Q. How do you think the car compares to the Red Bull and Ferrari?

MS: Well, I cannot make judgements specifically to other teams. At the moment we are not perfectly in the position we would like, to be competitive to win the first races straight away. But we are working hard, the season is long, and the main issue is not to be too far off. This is very difficult to judge right now, what is the real picture.

Q. How satisfied are you with the progress being made?

MS: We are working very well together. It has taken very little time to work with the team and get on with everybody, they are very good guys. It's very professional and a good atmosphere. But we have to prove ourselves on track, testing is one thing racing is another thing.

Q. Are you more pleased with the car on low fuel or over a race distance?

MS: I don't think I have done a qualifying run yet. We are not finished yet, so let's find out.

Q. What excites you the most about coming back, racing against the young guys?

MS: For me the age doesn't matter. I don't feel like what it says on my passport. The guys I am around with, with most of them I still feel like it's the good old days. It's no different for me. It's the challenge of driving the car, fighting with the other guys and going wheel-to-wheel. It's a specific thing, it's difficult to put in words. It's like parachuting, you can't explain what it feels like to someone unless they have done it themselves.

Q. Is pushing to the limit again living up to your expectations and your memories?

MS: Naturally, in testing it's the only satisfaction you have. You push the car to the limit, you're precise, consistent, so the challenge for yourself is to drive against the stopwatch. Then on a race weekend you watch yourself, but you have direct reference. Here, you don't.