Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Q & A with Michael Schumacher

Q. Were you surprised by your comeback?

Michael Schumacher: Well, if you look at the past few weeks, there were some interesting times because I did quite a few things that I didn't know would I be doing because the MotoGP test.

At Mugello during the Ferrari days I met Mauricio from Philip Morris, who's a friend of mine, and I just chatted and asked 'is there a chance I can have a little go on the motorbike?' and he called me back a few days later and said 'You can have a go on Monday.'

I said great and off I went, but it wasn't really planned beforehand - and neither was this test planned way ahead - probably two weeks ago I got confirmation that I was going to run here. It was great fun and I really like it a lot and I'm really happy about the way I'm able to run - because this is good enough to help the team.

But obviously being out for so long raised some question marks for me. And of course now, it's good to see now that I'm still able to do that.

Q. Have there been different stages in your life when you felt you needed a new challenge?

MS: I also give myself new challenges. I do a lot of things like that - I was doing my parachuting licence at some point and things like that. I like exploring new things. And I'm kind of a restless guy.

Q. How does car feel without traction control?

MS: It feels worse than when we last ran without TC, it's not similar; it's worse. Because you have different engines compared to that time. Then you had 10-cylinder engines. Then you could change and play with the gears and now you cannot.

Q. What's the hardest part now - slow corners?

MS: Slow corners, but high speed stuff is exciting.

Q. Do you have any plans to further develop the car?

MS: The plan was just for me to further develop the car now and give as much input as I can during my time here.

Q. How was it sitting in car and being quick?

MS: It took me a bit of time, maybe two laps, and then I was back into the groove. And I have to say I surprised myself that I was so quickly on it again.

Q. How did you feel in the morning?

MS: Yeah, nervous; a bit nervous. It was probably a bit like a little kid, I felt like I did when I was 18 again... Being out on the track is still a very good feeling.

Q. Will you receive offers after those times?

MS: I don't think, there's not anything free at the moment!

Q. What do you expect from tomorrow's hearing?

MS: I would be very surprised if Kimi loses out. I heard that Max (Mosley) already said - even if you disqualify some cars, there's no need to change the classification.

But I think there's plenty of option after this year - if you start to change again the classification, I think it would be bad for Formula 1 because it had been finished fair and square on the track and there's no need to carry on looking at it.

Q. Does the FIA need to change stewards who are experts, drivers?

MS: Honestly, it is the typical scenario. Something happens, then you hear the consequence but you haven't been involved with the detail about why it happened. And when you don't know all the details about how a decision was reached, then you can't comment on it.

Q. What are your thought on Ross Brawn's move?

MS: I think it's great for him. He called me before to tell me about it and I think it's a great opportunity for him and he did the same thing in Ferrari in '97 when he joined and 10 years later he does it with Honda and it's an interesting challenge for him.

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Schumacher surprised to be so fast
Next article Schumacher stays on top in Barcelona

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe