Under severe criticism for his poor showing in the first four races, seven-time world champion says he's ready to get back to his winning ways
Under severe criticism for his poor showing in the first four races, seven-time world champion says he's ready to get back to his winning waysMichael Schumacher yesterday insisted he has no regrets about deciding to return, even though a paltry 10 points from the four races so far this season is not what was anticipated.
On his last outing in China, the seven-time world champion, who was previously hailed as 'Rainu00a0Meister' (meaning master in German) given his mastery of the wet conditions, turned in a damp squib display as he trailed home a disappointing 10th.
In terms of self-assessment, Schumacher said: "If you look at what happened in China, certainly my performance wasn't good. It particularly stood out because at the other races up until then things were on the right trend.
"I know the car is not perfectly suiting me right now, but I wasn't expecting to come back in and blast everybody away.
"It's a process which is going well. It's like stock markets, they have an upward trend and occasionally they have a reset.
"China was my reset and we'll see where it goes from there, but I'm very optimistic things will go in the right direction. I'm pretty quiet and relaxed about what is going on."
As for the flak he has been forced to face, Schumacher said: "I've had various moments when things didn't go too well and I was similarly criticised, which is natural because of the time and world we live in. You have to stay calm and focus.
"In winter when I announced my comeback everybody was enthusiastic, which was great.
"Now I haven't been performing to some expectations and the enthusiasm has gone down and I've been criticised. But the next time I'm up on the podium I'm sure those same people will be very enthusiastic again."
"I really feel I'm on the right path, that things will improve, and it's just the pure joy of what I'm looking for.
Naturally the joy is higher if you win races, no doubt. In China, no worries, I was very disappointed and angry at myself. But things will be different."