Schumacher relishing second year at Mercedes
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Your support makes all the difference.Michael Schumacher believes he has rediscovered the joy of driving in Formula One again following a wretched comeback year.
Schumacher's poor form on his return out of retirement sparked suggestions he would walk away from the sport for a second time.
But with the current campaign due to end in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, the seven-times world champion is already looking forward to what he hopes will be a much improved second season with Mercedes.
In many respects Schumacher cannot wait to put this year behind him as he is ninth in the championship with just 72 points, 58 behind team-mate Nico Rosberg.
"Quite clearly I'm happier with where the car is going right now, so I'm predicting a reasonable result for here," said Schumacher.
"More importantly I have my joy again, in comparison to mid-season when it was a bit more tough.
"But knowing where we are at the end of the day and where we want to be, then yes, I am looking forward to the end of this season.
"I am also looking forward to next year's car, to get going with this as soon as possible in order to understand if all our views and ideas are going in the right direction."
There is already belief the car will be far more to Schumacher's liking, especially as Mercedes stopped development on the current model and began turning their attention towards 2011 two months ago.
The concern for Schumacher will be if he turns up at the first test next year, likely to be in Barcelona in February, and discovers his car to be as worrying as the one he stepped into this season.
"What we will want to see is that we have a feeling with the car, especially with what I know from now," added Schumacher.
"At the test this year, even though I had not driven for three years, I got a warning that was later confirmed.
"I hope we have no warnings, that we have a competitive car, one we can develop, and very importantly it will be what you see towards the end of the tests to the first race.
"That's my main focus, so when I drive it I hope I get a good read of it.
"We have a very clear view and very clear targets we want to fulfil and achieve after a year in which we feel we are behind because we were expecting more.
"But we understand the reasons, and much more importantly it is about what happens from here."
Schumacher maintains that despite his problems, he has qualified no higher than fifth and finished no higher than fourth this year, he has enjoyed it overall.
"I'm just glad we've been able to sort out our car and put in performances I'm reasonably happy with, and I look forward to whatever comes from there on," said Schumacher.
"Looking back at certain events there are reasons to be happy with certain things.
"Looking at the development over the year, particularly with what I take out of it, Mercedes asked me to come back because of who and what I am, and what contribution I can make.
"Given all these factors we are happy to keep on working together, and most importantly I am happy to keep on working together because I have fun."
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