Schumacher: Still a lot of work ahead of us

Schumacher

2010 marks nine years since Michael Schumacher last celebrated victory in Monaco, arguably the scene of the incident that forced his first retirement from Formula 1 in 2006. This weekend, the 7-time World Champion returns to Monaco but insists that his Mercedes GP team is continuing to play a game of catch-up. Although he may not have crossed the street circuit's finish line first since 2001, Schumacher can still boast five Monaco Grand Prix victories, having won for Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before repeating the feat for Ferrari in 1997 and 1999 as well as the season which saw him pick up world title number four.

In 2010, Michael returns to the famous venue after enjoying his best result so far this season, fourth in Barcelona on Sunday.

"I have always liked to drive in Monaco and that's why I am really looking forward to competing there this weekend," Schumacher began. "The Monaco Grand Prix certainly adds something very special to the Formula 1 calendar and driving through the streets of Monte-Carlo is undoubtedly unique." However, the German stresses that Mercedes' MGP W01 – modified in Spain, with a longer wheelbase and radical engine cover making an appearance – is yet to reach its prime.

"We go there and hope that the characteristics of the street circuit suit our car better than in Spain last weekend," he continued. "On the other hand, we should be careful not to expect too much this time, as we saw in Barcelona that there is still a lot of work ahead of us."