Webber: Fair play to Schumacher but P1 is nice

Mark Webber is relishing his starting position for Sunday's Monaco GP having been elevate to pole position by Michael Schumacher's penalty

The Mercedes driver claimed the coveted grid slot with a 1:14.301 around the streets of Monte Carlo with Webber 0.080s back.

However, Schumacher arrived in Monaco with a grid penalty for his Spanish GP crash with Bruno Senna, which means he drops to sixth and Webber is up to first.

And the Red Bull driver believes that starting at the front will stand him in good stead as his bids for his first victory of the season.

"It was an amazing session wasn't it? It was very, very close," Webber said.

"Q3 was tight between the first few rows obviously there were some different tyre strategies with different people getting to the difficult part of qualifying with different sets of tyres and in the end it was a good little battle.

"Michael did a good lap - fair play to him - but it's nice to move up a position, of all places it's good starting towards the front here and I'm really looking forward to the race tomorrow."

Looking ahead to Sunday's grand prix, the Aussie believes it will be a "chess match" as track position and strategy are vital on a circuit where overtaking is extremely difficult.

"We know track position round here is important so you need to keep that as much as you can and you also have the chess match.

"Off the front here is a little bit easier for the guys in terms of strategy for them to look for a place for you to drop in to in terms of stops. We know overtaking here is notorious. Then there's obviously a long grand prix.

"Concentration for the drivers; we're going to have phases of the grand prix where the tyres will be fresh, the tyres will be very tired, so you have to be ready for that."

Source: Planet-F1

Video: Especial Interview with 6 WDC CCTV 5 at Chinese GP 2012

Interview with Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel from CCTV 5



Source: AnneCarvalho78

Schumacher, Alonso, Hamilton, Button, Vettel, Räikkönen. A straight flush and a joker on top of that

Kimi Räikkönen's comeback to the 'real work', F1, has been the biggest news before the season has begun. They have speculated over the backgrounds, weighed the test results, tried to dig inside Räikkönen's head. With no success.

Räikkönen himself tells that he came back to the F1-business because he had missed it. It sounds odd at first, because during his last couple of years in Ferrari the disgust and fatigue with everything the genre offered was shining from his face.

However rallying in a small car with only the clock as the opponent for two years got Räikkönen fed up. He told earlier this spring that he has missed 'real racing', driving on track man to man, and now it's offered to him.

Räikkönen still doesn't care for the PR-things and other cackle that comes with the sport.

'Neither does any other driver either. Everyone of us only wants to race', Räikkönen said in February to reporters.

When the information of Räikkönen's will to come back were confirmed, they were taking him starting from Red Bull to all other top teams. Finally he joined Lotus.

They were astonished over his choice. They didn't think that the French team that had dropped in the midfield would be any dream working place.

Testing in Jerez and Barcelona however changed the tune in the bell. Although the test results aren't comparable the performance ability and reliability of Lotus has surprised. The car has been both reliable and fast.

Australia will be the real thing. If it goes well in Melbourne, then the co-existance of Räikkönen and Lotus will get a lot more easier. If the car is not good for racing, then we can expect some wrinkles in love.

Räikkönen gets visibly nervous when someone says the word 'motivation' around him. Everybody notices how the safety clicks.

Yet the truth is that Räikkönen doesn't get fired up over lower positions. This has been taken in account when making the Lotus-contract.

According to Autosport the contract has a clause which justifies ending the contract if Lotus doesn't get into top 8.

Räikkönen also doesn't have to drive with a community effort. He gets 8-12 million euros per season which will substantially slow down poverty.

Although a driver, who so far has earned about 200 million euros isn't in any need for pocket change, it still is expensive to live like Räikkönen lives. It costs to keep up several luxurious houses, flying with a private jet and keeping the armada of cars swallows money like a F1-car swallows fuel.

By Vesa Kovanen
Courtesy: Nicole

Matti Kyllönen: "I don't know where Kimi's genes come from"

Veteran reporter believes in Kimi Räikkönen's driving skills

Matti Kyllönen relies on Kimi Räikkönen, even though the Finn spent two previous years in rally.

- For Räikkönen rally series was certainly an educational and a great experience. But his rally driving on rally roads was fumbling from the beginning, because track racing is Kimi's thing. Something tells the fact that he returned after two years break to the top of formula racing.

Kyllönen's believe in the Finn is not shaken even by the fact that the championship driver Michael Schumacher has failed to rise to anywhere near to former glory after his return.

- Kimi has come back to F1 with greater passion than "Schumi". In addition, Schumacher was away for three years and Kimi two. There is a big difference, he points out.

Kyllönen admires Räikkönen's courageous decisions to at first to leave formula racing, then to driving rally and then again a cool return to F1.

- I do not know where Kimi's genes come from, as in Kimi culminates Finnish guts, determination and stubbornness. Kimi is a man who dares to seize the moment and he has done it again. Kimi knows that now there is no other option but to succeed, and he is ready to do everything for it.

Kyllönen does not think it is impossible at all that in the future, after a season with Lotus, Raikkonen would sit behind the wheel of a top car.

- Kimi's contract has an option after the coming season. If Kimi surprises all, he is back on driver markets to top teams. I believe Kimi will end up behind the wheel of Red Bull, says Kyllönen referring to last season's top team.

UT

Source: Iltalehti
Courtesy: reppo

Räikkönen will not struggle with F1 comeback

McLaren doctor and fellow Finn Aki Hintsa does not think Kimi Räikkönen will struggle on his return to Formula 1 next season, in the manner that Michael Schumacher has battled to get up to his former speed and prowess.

2007 world champion Räikkönen’s decision to come back to the sport with Lotus after a couple of seasons away has been compared with Schumacher’s recent struggle to readjust after a three-year sabbatical.

But Hintsa, who knows Räikkönen well after the now 32-year-old’s five-year tenure at McLaren until 2006, plays down that comparison.

“Physically, Kimi is definitely as strong now as he ever was,” he is quoted by Turun Sanomat newspaper. “It is clear that a return to F1 for Kimi will be easier than it was for Michael Schumacher two years ago.

“First of all, Kimi is so much younger than Michael, and secondly, he was not away for as long and while he was away, he kept driving in a very demanding category,” said Hintsa, referring to Räikkönen’s world rallying exploits.

Indeed, while Räikkönen only turned 32 some weeks ago, Schumacher is clearly F1′s oldest active driver as he approaches his 43rd birthday in January.

“At that stage of life a ten year age difference is a major factor in top-level sport,” said Hintsa.

“When an athlete turns 40, the response time begins to slow down naturally and there’s nothing you can do about it. It is not possible to turn back the clock.”

Source: YallaF1

Video: BBC - Indian GP - F1 drivers on safety in motorpsort

Formula 1 drivers discuss the issue of safety in motorsport following the tragic deaths of British IndyCar racer Dan Wheldon and MotoGP's Marco Simoncelli.

Wheldon was killed in Las Vegas two weeks ago following a 15-car crash, while Italian rider Simoncelli died last weekend after a horrific crash at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang



Source: SixtyBuckss

'Alonso & Schumi the only leaders in F1'

Stefano Domenicali reckons there are only two leaders in F1, Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher, although Seb Vettel is heading that way

In an interview with Bild, the Ferrari team boss spoke about what makes a team a great team and one of those aspects is having a true leader at the helm.

But, out of 24 drivers on the grid, he believes Formula One currently has just two leader drivers, Alonso and Schumacher.

"Really, there are only two and they are Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher. I see no others," Domenicali said.

Asked about Sebastian Vettel given that he won the title with Red Bull last season, Domenicali said: "Vettel is still not a leader.

"He is on the way there but he is still not as far as Michael and Fernando. He is simply too young and still has to gain experience."

Pressed as to what makes a good leader, he said: "Look at Michael and Fernando. I see many parallels. Both are fighting like lions to get their team to the front.

"They take care of details that others don't notice. And of course people listen to them because they have a lot of experience.

"Sebastian is close but right now there are only two."

But whether Domenicali considers Vettel to be a leader or not, Ferrari are still being beaten by the German this season in what is looking set to be the second year that Red Bull take the double.

Asked for his thoughts on that, Domenicali said: "Not very pleased.

"But with all due respect, they have a title, we have 16. If Red Bull wins half as many as we have then perhaps we need to rethink.

"The question is who has the better foundation. We are currently building a new Ferrari and then we'll start a great period."

He added: "We are between 70 and 80 percent. Our advantage: we have not last any key people like other top teams."

Source: Planet-F1

Ferrar's engineer corrected the general opinion of Räikkönen

Andrea Stella who has worked with Räikkönen, Alonso and Michael Schumacher, compared them in formulasantander.com-web magazine's interview and in his comparison he mentioned Räikkönen at the end and thought a while about how to put his words:

- Kimi... I would say that Kimi is the best in certain circumstances, but only in certain. He is instinctive.

Stella was asked how the talkative Italian got along with the quiet Räikkönen. According to stories Räikkönen didn't want to talk with Stella during races.

- I have to correct this general opinion of Kimi. When a driver is in the car, he needs certain information that he can't get by himself from the car. It's better to say one word too much than too little. Of course when I said one word too much to Kimi, that he has to push harder and give it his all, he replied by saying that he is already pushing hard with all he has.

IL

Courtesy: Nicole

Gene: Alonso is better than Schumacher

Ferrari test driver Marc Gene has revealed that he regards Fernando Alonso as the best driver he has worked with in Formula 1, which includes Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen, amid reports that the team supplies superior equipment to the Spaniard.

Alonso, with a new long-term contract, is widely regarded as Maranello’s number one driver, particularly with Felipe Massa struggling to match him over the past two seasons.

But fellow Spaniard, Gene told El Mundo newspaper: “I can confirm 100% that both Felipe and Fernando have the same materials at their disposal. If the results of Fernando have been superior it is because of his very high level.”

“I cannot judge what he did in his time at Renault and McLaren but I have worked with world champions Schumacher, Villeneuve and Raikkonen and Fernando is the one who impresses me the most,” said Gene.

“Before he arrived at Ferrari I had great expectations, and now that I’ve seen and studied and worked with him, I can say he has exceeded all of the expectations,” added the Ferrari test driver.

Gene, meanwhile, said he does not believe it would be the right move for Ferrari to abandon work on the 150 Italia car in order to ensure a more competitive start to 2012. “It is true that the gap to Red Bull is significant, even if there are many races left. But no gap is unbridgeable, especially for a team like Ferrari.”

He concluded, “Also, if it is right that the regulations for next year do not change much, it is still useful to develop the current car because these improvements can also apply to the next one. Ferrari’s philosophy is to not give up while the maths do not prove otherwise.”

Gene was Ferrari test driver from 2004 until last year. He still keeps close ties with the Maranello squad while campaigning for the Peugeot factory team in sportscar racing, including Le Mans. Gene competed in 36 Grands Prix for Minardi and Williams.

Source: YallaF1

SEBASTIAN VETTEL'S IN SCHUMACHER CLASS

Lewis Hamilton paid Sebastian Vettel the ultimate compliment yesterday by comparing him to seven-times world champ Michael Schumacher at his best

Sebastian Vettel tightened his stranglehold on this year’s championship on Sunday when he won his third race in four starts with victory in Turkey.

He has a 34-point gap on Hamilton, with McLaren team-mate Jenson Button 47 points adrift.

Hamilton won the previous race in China, but was 40 seconds behind Vettel in Istanbul and said:

“Thirty-four points is a very big gap at the moment. He was cruising in Turkey. I’ve got to be on the ragged edge to try and get every little step I can.

“It’s very similar to when Schumacher was dominating. Now Sebastian is dominating – pole position at all four races this season, and he’s nearly won all four.”

With Vettel scoring 93 points from a possible 100, and given the resources available to Red Bull, there is already talk the championship could be over by mid-summer.

But Hamilton added: “I don’t have a fear that will happen, but it is possible. But it is also possible we could catch up and overtake them.”

Source: Daily Star

Räikkönen and NASCAR: What Formula 1 is saying

While Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants Michael Schumacher in NASCAR, he himself dismisses this - Jenson Button believes in Kimi Räikkönen

The NASCAR switch from Kimi Räikkönen, was the major theme of recent days in the United States. The Sprint Cup aces, especially the new leader Kyle Busch, took the imminent arrival of former Formula 1 World Champion very positive. The 31-year-old Finn, who has three test days behind him will give his debut in the NASCAR Truck Series on 20 May in Charlotte.

NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. is looking forward to Räikkönen - and has another proposal: "It would be nice if Michael Schumacher would come here and get involved in a trial," Earnhardt suggested on the edge of the NASCAR weekend in Texas. "All of us would really like to see that. Since it would not matter if you think something is right or wrong. All would look at it." But this idea will remain a dream: "I'm not a fan of cars with roof," Schumacher said tersely in Malaysia.

But there are also NASCAR insiders in the current Formula 1 paddock. One who knows exactly what Räikkönen is getting into is Narain Karthikeyan. The Indian driving for HRT Racing did nine truck races last year. He never got into top 10 and was voted at the end of the year – thanks to an international online voting - the most popular truck driver 2010 as a complete surprise.

"It will not be easy for him," warned Karthikeyan. "It is very difficult there. He's clearly a talented driver and he is doing it right. He has looked for a good team and is testing a lot. He has now tested on the Rockingham Speedway, but Charlotte will then open his eyes. It's scary when you chase at full speed through the corners. If you drive all the time over 300 km/h, it is really hard work. But he will be quick there."

Jenson Button showed much understanding: "Kimi seemed to be happy to leave Formula 1. Maybe he wanted to have it more relaxed. He will find that in the states for sure. For drivers who are accustomed to slicks and wings, it is always difficult to drive all of a sudden in the NASCAR oval." Button also doesn’t show any prejudice, "These guys do that all their lives and they are no nose pickers.The change was difficult for many. Juan Pablo has taken a little while, but now he is competitive. I'm sure with Kimi it will be the same. He will prove his talent."

Felipe Massa agrees with Button largely. "I expect that he will not have it easy," said Massa. "It is something completely different and he has to start from scratch. The situation is quite different and a NASCAR is driven differently." Also the Brazilian compares the new situation with Montoya.

"Montoya had a few years his hands full, only now he can fight for the top 10. It is a completely different world. Kimi has certainly a great talent, but there he first has to learn. If he manages to do that, he may succeed in this series. First of all, he will start in a lower class if I have been informed correctly. We'll see. Apart from that of course I wish him all the best."

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg hasn’t thought about NASCAR. "It does not come to question for me. I don’t think I would enjoy. But if Kimi enjoys it and the races are exciting, it is certainly a great story. So why not?" The 20th May will provide more information when Räikkönen has done his first race on the fast 1.5 miles oval in Charlotte.

Source: Motorsporttotal
courtesy: Miezicat

Merc upgrade shows pace at Barcelona

All through pre-season testing, Mercedes GP have promised their upgraded package will have pace - and that's exactly what it had at Barcelona on Friday

New parts arrived for Mercedes GP's W02 late Thursday at the Circuit de Catalunya and Michael Schumacher had the opportunity to test the revised car on Day Four of the final pre-season test.

The German, using the revised front wing and new turning vanes, clocked a 1:21.249 to set the pace ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. Schumacher's lap time was also the fastest witnessed at Barcelona this year.

Alonso, meanwhile, spent his morning on qualifying style runs, which was when his set his 1:21.614, before switching to a race simulation in the afternoon. And once again, the Ferrari demonstrated both its pace and reliability with Spaniard amassing 141 laps.

Nico Rosberg was next in line as he took over for Schumacher in the afternoon. Although Rosberg was only expected to run on Saturday, the German was given a few hours late in the day as rain is expected at the Spanish circuit tomorrow.

Nick Heidfeld was fourth for Lotus Renault, although his running was cut short in the afternoon due to an undisclosed problem, while Rubens Barrichello was the final driver to get within a second of Schumacher's P1 time.

Kamui Kobayashi and Jaime Alguersuari were sixth and seventh with the latter saying "pre-season testing as reasonably positive for our team.

"We have learned a lot about the new parameters we have from this year's rules and obviously understanding the new Pirelli tyres has been an important element of these tests.

"It has been very different to the previous year, so now we start a new Championship in Melbourne, with a new philosophy. I think we have a good car, which shows potential. However, we still need to improve a lot and that will involve plenty of hard work in the coming weeks."

Sebastian Vettel completed the top eight but managed just 63 laps and brought out the red flags late in the day when he stopped at the exit of the pit lane.

Once again it was not a good day for McLaren with Jenson Button finishing down in 13th place, 4.588s off the pace. He amassed just 57 laps due to an engine change.

Five teams, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Williams and Hispania Racing, will continue at the Circuit de Catalunya on Saturday in what will be the final day of pre-season testing.

Times
01. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m21.249 67 laps
02. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m21.614 + 0.365 141 laps
03. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m21.788 + 0.539 22 laps
04. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1m22.073 + 0.824 67 laps
05. Rubens Barrichello Williams 1m22.233 + 0.984 89 laps
06. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1m22.315 + 1.066 98 laps
07. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1m22.675 + 1.426 72 laps
08. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1m22.933 + 1.684 64 laps
09. Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus 1m23.437 + 2.188 138 laps
10. Paul di Resta Force India 1m23.653 + 2.404 42 laps
11. Adrian Sutil Force India 1m23.921 + 2.672 26 laps
12. Pastor Maldonado Williams 1m24.108 + 2.859 11 laps
13. Jenson Button McLaren 1m25.837 + 4.588 57 laps
14. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin 1m27.375 + 6.126 46 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Kovalainen eyes Schumacher guru Balbir Singh

Heikki Kovalainen is considering teaming up with Michael Schumacher’s former fitness guru.

Turun Sanomat newspaper reports that the Lotus driver has split with his physiotherapist Petri Lehikoinen.

The report said Schumacher proposed that Kovalainen start working with Indian Balbir Singh instead, whose last job in F1 was alongside Giancarlo Fisichella at Force India.

Kovalainen reportedly met with Singh in Barcelona on Thursday.

"Singh is one of the candidates but I haven’t decided what to do," he said.

Source: Nextgen

JENSON BUTTON: KIDS CAN SLOW YOU DOWN

Jenson Button will not have a family until his Formula One career is over, in case it distracts him from chasing his goals

Button heads into the new season determined to regain the title he had to concede to Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel last season and he laughs at the idea that, having just turned 31, his attitude to racing at 200mph might change.

“No, when I have kids it will change but not yet,” says Button, who is dating model Jessica Michibata. “That’s one reason why I don’t want to have kids while I am racing. It’s not worth the risk.

“Also, you don’t get enough time to spend with them. It hasn’t crept in yet. I will stop when it does. If you start feeling fearful of pushing the car to the limit, you have got to stop. There is no point.”

Button and Lewis Hamilton head to the final F1 test in Barcelona this week before the start of the season in Australia on March 27, both hoping to see improvements in pace and reliability to get closer to Red Bull and Ferrari.

The McLaren car may not be up to the challenge yet but Button dismisses the idea that Vettel will be more ravenous for success because of an eight-year age difference.

“He won’t be any hungrier than I am,” says Button. “I’m as fit as I have ever been. Mentally? We have to make sure we are mentally strong and make sure everyone in the team is focused and positive.”

He won’t rule out Michael Schumacher as a contender either, even though the seven times champion is now 42 years old.

Suggest that Schumacher has lost raw pace and Button says: “I don’t agree with that at all.

“I think he is not happy with the car. Look at NASCAR, where you have guys in their 50s still winning.

“I know it is very different but you need to have a good reaction, a good eye.

“As long as his fitness levels are good – and his are pretty damn good – he is fine.”

Source: EXPRESS.CO.UK

Alonso reveals admiration for Schumi

Fernando Alonso has spoken of his respect and admiration for seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher

Many pundits have raised doubts over Schumacher and Mercedes' ability to challenge for the title this year following a disappointing 2010 campaign and some mixed performances in pre-season testing.

However, Alonso - the man who ended Schumacher and Ferrari's dominance with back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006 - is refusing to write off the German before the start of the season.

"If there is one person I respect and admire, it is Michael for everything he has done," Alonso is quoted by German news agency dpa.

"We have to wait 'til Australia and the first three or four races and see how Mercedes is doing. If Mercedes is fighting for pole position, he will be one of our great rivals."

The decision to cancel the Bahrain Grand Prix has come as a relief to some while others feel it will affect them negatively.

"I don't think it changes much. Nobody really knows how anyone else is doing. This year there were no leaks in the paddock. Let's see who can draw an advantage from the late start," Alonso said.

When asked if Bahrain should still the race, Alonso replied: "They deserve to have that show. Let's hope we can go there in total calm."

Alonso and Ferrari have done a lot of mileage during the three pre-season tests, but the Spaniard is refusing to predict how fast the car will be.

"There is no clear reference point for where we stand. Are we happy with the car? Yes. Is it reliable? Yes. Fast? We'll know in Australia," he said.

"We're not anxious, but we would like to know more. We do not need to change the way we work, there is a lot of work to do. Australia is the definitive moment."

Source: Planet-F1

Vettel: Schumi can finish second to my first

Sebastian Vettel says compatriot Michael Schumacher is still his role model and has backed the Formula One legend to return to form this season

"I always see him as a role model and I think he is capable of achieving something big this season," the reigning World Champion told German motoring magazine ADAC Motorwelt.

"I hope that it will not be too big, if he is second in the 2011 Championship, that would be okay for me," he joked.

Schumacher returned to Formula One racing in 2010 after a three-year hiatus which followed his seven World title victories.

He finished a disappointing ninth in last season's Drivers' Championship racing for Mercedes GP.

Schumacher turned 42 in January and told the magazine he is feeling "rather good" with the new season, which is set to start with the Australian GP on March 27.

"This season, I think we can claim for the podium and why not some grand prix wins," said Schumacher.

"But talk of the World title is still unrealistic."

Source: Planet-F1

Schumacher plays down simulator sickness struggles

Michael Schumacher says that he is not the only driver on the grid to suffer from motion sickness as a result of driving Formula One simulators.

Reports last week linked Schumacher's struggles in keeping pace with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg last year to his limited time in the team's Brackley simulator before the start of the season.

But the seven-time world champion played down the connection between his motion sickness and his disappointing return to the sport.

"I think almost all the drivers that I know have had it [motion sickness]," Schumacher told Telegraph Sport. "When we had our first simulator at Ferrari I had exactly this feeling already so it's nothing to do with age. People get used to it by going through certain processes."

Although the majority of teams use simulators to help drivers to get to grips with new circuits, Schumacher also cast doubts about the usefulness of the technology.

"As far as I understand there are some other top teams that have a simulator but make very little use of it. For us drivers the main benefit of them would be to get used to a track. But for me personally that has never been an issue. I don't see the big advantage of them."

Source: ESPNF1

Mercedes GP MGP W02 - Interview with Schumacher, Rosberg & Brawn

S0urce: NextgenAuto

Driver simulators make Schumacher sick

Michael Schumacher’s inability to work in a driver simulator hindered his preparation for grands prix in 2010.

That is the claim of a source close to the Mercedes driver, who told the Dutch website f1today.nl that Schumacher does not spend time in simulators because ever since a motorcycle fall in 2009 they have caused him to suffer from motion sickness.

On the other hand, the 42-year-old’s teammate Nico Rosberg - who scored 70 more points than his famous cohort last season - is reportedly renowned for the time he has spent in simulators during his career.

"Nico spends a lot of time in the simulator preparing the car for the grand prix weekends," said the Mercedes source.

The source added that while Rosberg’s setup work is "largely done" by the time of the first session on Friday morning, "Michael begins with a basic setting".

"This is one of quite a few very good reasons why Schumacher was sometimes at a disadvantage to Rosberg," added the source.

However, late last year Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn said he thinks Schumacher would have been more competitive in 2010 if Mercedes had a truly "top" driver simulator.

He said a new simulator is "currently under construction" at Brackley, but "it won’t be fully operational before 2012".

Source: Motorsport

Rosberg: Strange that Alonso named Schumi

Nico Rosberg insists he's unfazed that Fernando Alonso singled out his team-mate and not him to be a huge threat in 2011

Alonso was recently asked for his thoughts on who his main rivals for this year's World title may be and surprised many by naming seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher.

"The most dangerous Champion for me is always Michael," said the Ferrari driver. "Now in January if I have to choose one name I have to say Michael.

"He is seven-time Champion, he has nothing to prove. He had a difficult season but he is still a Champion. He is still super class and if the car is right he will be a contender."

And while there is no doubting Schumacher's pedigree, there are some doubts about whether he still has what it takes.

The German, who returned to F1 last season with Mercedes GP, finished ninth in 2010, 70 points behind Rosberg and 184 adrift of World Champion Sebastian Vettel.

Asked whether he was "annoyed" that Alonso had chosen Schumacher over him as a potential threat, Rosberg told Auto Moto und Sport: "No, that doesn't interest me.

"But I found it a bit strange. Why not say Red Bull will be his nearest rival? That would be obvious."

Meanwhile, Rosberg has confirmed that he'll have the honour of debuting Merc GP's new W02 when it hits the track at Valencia on February 1st.

"I am going first," the 25-year-old told the DPA agency. "It will be interesting to see how it (the car) feels. You know pretty quickly how good it is going to be."

However, the German has downplayed his chances of winning the World title, although insists it will happen one day.

"It is probably unrealistic to go into the season saying we will win the Championship, but we will succeed sooner or later. We are on the right track."

Source: Planet-F1