Michael Schumacher wants to be world champion at 41

13 April 2012

Michael Schumacher is ready to again plant the German flag on top of the Formula One world and end the recent British domination.

Schumacher has watched from the sidelines as first Lewis Hamilton in 2008 with McLaren and then Jenson Button for Brawn GP last year captured motorsport's prized crown.

Button's shock defection to McLaren, however, opened a door for the 41-year-old many felt had closed on him at Ferrari last August when a neck injury denied him a comeback.

But in joining up with Nico Rosberg at German manufacturing giant Mercedes, who took over Brawn in November, there is a mouthwatering sideshow to savour of an Anglo-German battle.

Schumacher is convinced he can take the fight to the British duo and add to his record haul of 91 grands prix victories and seven world titles.

"I have to say I am totally committed to this new challenge. This season feels like a re-start for me and I am so motivated," said Schumacher at the team's official presentation in Stuttgart.

"We have a very exciting combination here. We have a world champion team in every sense of the word, and I cannot wait to get into the car for the first time in Valencia (next Monday).

"I am convinced the team will be in a very good position to fight for the championships this season and I will definitely give it a go.

"We have everything it takes to be world champion again, but it's one thing to have all the ingredients, it's another to conjure a result.

"But with the experience Ross (Brawn) has, and with what he did last year, with Mercedes' know-how and the quality they have, I'm sorry, but there is only one target (the title)."

Rosberg, who has been assured by Brawn he will not be Schumacher's wing-man, insists there is a degree of pride at stake as Germany take on England on the race track.

"It shouldn't be the focus, but as a side issue it's a fantastic thing," said Rosberg.

"Mercedes with two Germans drivers is great, and I hope we can really encourage the German fans to be even more supportive of us.

"Of course, with Michael now here, I'm sure the team will have a lot of support.

"And we're up against an English team, so hopefully we can win that battle."

As an Englishman surrounded by Germanic influence, Brawn maintains such a scenario has not crossed his mind.

But then after his many years working for Italian teams, initially Benetton and then Ferrari, the change in scenery now is not too far removed from his past.

"I tend to look beyond those things," said Brawn when asked as to his feelings surrounding his position.

Despite the fact Mercedes own 75% of the team that was Brawn, which remains based in Brackley, he added: "It's a British race team.

"There will be very close co-operation with the engine group, which is British-based as well (in Brixworth).

"I'm sure there will be elements of the press who will like to accentuate things, but from our perspective as a team we don't think about it."

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