Schumacher will be champion - Brawn
Ross Brawn has tipped Michael Schumacher to become this year's world champion on his return to Formula 1 action
Although Schumacher will be the oldest driver in the field and has not raced in F1 since the end of 2006, Brawn thinks that the seven-time champion will confound his critics and come out on top.
"If I had to bet on any of them then it is clear that Michael will become world champion," Brawn has been quoted as saying by the German newspaper Bild.
"Michael is now more relaxed. When he retired in 2006, F1 was a burden for him. Now I can sense his old enthusiasm."
Brawn does think, however, that it may take a little bit of time for Schumacher to get fully up to speed - which may not happen in time for the first race of the season.
"I do not think he will come out and win the first grand prix. He will need a few races to familiarise himself with the other cars and the many new drivers. Then I hope to see the old Schumacher," added Brawn.
"This has always been his strength anyway: to learn and adapt amazingly quickly."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Audi a player, not a spectator, in F1 driver market - Sauber
Mercedes joins Williams and RB with 'quick and cheap' F1 cockpit airflow upgrades
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
Schumacher F1 watch collection could top $4 million in auction
The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more
The contrasting fortunes of F1's big-name moves to Ferrari
Autosport Podcast: Button and Brawn discuss the new Disney+ F1 documentary
How Brawn documentary brings nuance to one of F1's best underdog tales
How Brawn became Mercedes
Verstappen 'deserves' fourth in China F1 sprint qualifying with wet struggles
Why Norris' China F1 sprint pole lap was deleted and reinstated
Norris' F1 China sprint pole lap down to "all or nothing" approach
F1 team-mates' qualifying battles: Chinese GP
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
What the Chinese GP's highlights reveal about its first F1 race for five years
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments