"Confirmation of your performance does not only come through victories."
Michael Schumacher says age is not a factor in the fight for Formula One
titles but the 43-year-old German continues to leave his future open
ahead of his 300th grand prix on Sunday.
Schumacher told DPA in an interview that “it has nothing to do with age”
on whether he could win another title or not, if he continues in
Formula One beyond the present season.
The seven-time world champion said ahead of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix
the question of another F1 title “unfortunately is not there” this year,
with Mercedes not a contender.
“This year we are no longer fighting for the world championship.
Let’s see what the future holds,” he said.
Schumacher’s contract expires at the end of the season. He has
previously said he would like to wait until October before making any
decision on his future.
In German media interviews this week, Schumacher said he had no regrets
on his comeback to Formula One racing in 2010 after a three-year
absence, although he is still searching for a first victory since his
return with Mercedes.
He goes into Sunday’s milestone race at Spa-Francorchamps with only a
single podium place — won this season in Valencia — to show since his F1
return, and made it clear he would love to experience another victory.
“Of course that (failing to win) would be a pity. I would like to experience a highlight or two,” he said.
“But confirmation of your performance does not only come through
victories. I have had a few moments since my comeback which have given
me great satisfaction, for example if I can get the very best out of the
car, even if it hasn’t produced results you can show.
“That is difficult to explain to the outside because you cannot
recognize that from the outside. But the feeling is very nice.” The last
of Schumacher’s 91 grand prix victories came in China on October 1,
2006, then driving for Ferrari. But on Sunday he returns to a special
circuit for him in his his 300th race. Spa—Francorchamps was also where
he raced his first grand prix, won his first grand prix and won the F1
title in 2004.
“Somehow everything always seems to play out in Spa, my career circles
around Spa so to speak. That I am now about to take part in my 300th
race there is pure coincidence but somehow it is to be expected,” he
said.
Victory or not, the record world champion says he never stops questioning himself.
“Self-doubt is always important. I am always doubting myself, that was always the case,” he said.
“You have to permanently question yourself in order to develop and to be
able to learn. That’s the same everywhere in life and in our world
especially, because Formula One also means developing further.”
