Grapevine: Soccer Makes Schumi More Nervous than F1

Michael Schumacher says he feels more nervous about playing soccer than driving a Formula One car.

Ferrari's world champion also told F1 Racing magazine, in an edition published on Friday and mostly dedicated to his achievements, that he was mentally prepared for someone better than him to come along one day.

And he added that he earned less than the media sometimes reported.

"People keep talking about my salary in a way which is not realistic any more," said Schumacher, whose annual earnings have been put at $50 million.

"It is far, far off what's been quoted."

Schumacher, who makes regular charity match appearances, commented on his love of soccer but said he was "more nervous about playing it than about driving in F1.

"It might sound strange but it's because I can't do it with the same skill. When I'm playing football, I've got tunnel vision and, unfortunately, the game requires more awareness.

"To perform in any sport you must be able to notice things around you, to think about strategies. I don't have the capacity to do that in football."

Schumacher was asked about South African Jody Scheckter, who was world champion in 1979, the last Ferrari driver to win the title before the German.

"I don't think I could have raced then, it was so dangerous that I couldn't have taken any pleasure from it," he said.

The triple champion was also asked whether he agreed that he was the best driver in the world.

"I suppose I can say it now," he said.

"But on the other hand, I always say to myself that, somewhere, there's someone a lot more talented than me who's never had the chance to show it."

Schumacher also talked about his superstitions.

"Whenever I'm in a field I look for a (lucky) four-leaf clover. Mostly, when I've found one, I've done well in the next grand prix. Before flying to the last two races of 2000, I found two four-leaf clovers."

Schumacher won both races, taking the drivers' title in Japan and securing the constructors' crown in Malaysia.