Jul.24 (GMM) Michael Schumacher has admitted the "paradox" of F1's tightly restricted test rules in the context of his return to formula one.

On the one hand, he believes the lack of track running between races partly explains his struggle to get fully up to speed in 2010 after a three-year retirement.

"I can think of no other sport operating at such a high level in which one cannot test and practice," the 41-year-old, struggling particularly to adjust to the new generation of tyres, is quoted by the SID news agency at Hockenheim.

But on the other hand, he admits that it is the less demanding nature of today's F1 - with drivers only needing to train and attend marketing events between races - that is motivating his commitment for the entire three-year period of his new tenure with Mercedes.

"It sounds paradoxical, I know," smiled Schumacher.

"On one side it's annoying because we cannot catch up as fast as we would like, but at the same time I am not sorry that after each race you don't have to get back in the car straight away to do test laps.

"I am not sure I would have enough in that case for another three years. With the way it is now, there is a lot of enjoyment," said Schumacher.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version