Schumi ready for F1's battle royale

Most drivers on the grid are more than happy to tell the world that they want to beat Michael Schumacher this year, but the seven-times World Champion says he is more than ready for the battle ahead.

Jenson Button has already warned the German that "no one's going to give him an inch" this year while Mark Webber says "it'll be a bloody hard season for him".

Schumacher, though, insists he would not have returned to Formula One if he wasn't prepared for a fight.

"This is what I am here for, and I am confident we can play a role in this fight," he said on his official website. "If we win it at the end will be a different question, as always in sports. But our entire team is extremely motivated, as am I.

"The guys [Mercedes] have won both titles last year, and now, with Mercedes Power on board, they want to repeat this success. We all want to win. The season will be long and hard, no doubt about that, but I love this fight - it is because of this fight that I came back to Formula 1."

Schumacher, realistic about the chances of starting with a win in Bahrain, has urged his fans to judge the team on the final standings at the end of the season.

"I said it quite clear from the beginning: we do not have to - and probably will not - be in the position to win right from the start," he said. "It is important to be close and then use the long season to be at the top at the end. It is not the start which is important; it is the finish."


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