Webber: Schumacher in for a hard time

Schumacher, 41, returns to racing at this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix after having retired from the sport at the end of the 2006 season.

The seven-time champion has shown competitive form during winter testing with his Mercedes GP team, but Australian Webber does not believe Schumacher will be able to enjoy the same kind of success as before his retirement.

"I think it will be a bloody hard season for him," Webber told the Daily Telegraph. "I think he'll go all right but I have never, ever seen a phenomenal comeback.

"When has the second career ever been better than the first?"

Webber, 33, also believes the new generation of drivers have it easier to make an impression now, as he reckons Formula 1 is easier now.

"The cars are easier to drive," Webber added. "You don't look at these guys and think 'they are real men'. They are talented, no question, but there is less in common.

"There is power steering now; a lot of things that make the cars easier to drive. That's why these youngsters can get away with it. I came through the categories with gear sticks and what have you. And that was beneficial for me. But there is no point whingeing about it. They come along and do a good job for the most part. Some don't.

"But every now and again - whether it's a Lewis [Hamilton] or a Seb [Vettel] - they can, with phenomenal grooming, come in and do a good job."