May 20 (GMM) Michael Schumacher arrived in Barcelona on Thursday insisting he is not about to hit reverse on his formula one comeback.

A barrage of criticism has been thrown at the 42-year-old German after a fraught race in Turkey, where he said "the big joy" of F1 is missing at present.

"I can understand the disappointment of my fans," he told Bild newspaper. "And I can promise them that we are not giving up on working flat out to race at the front."

As for his apparently flagging enthusiasm, Schumacher insisted: "The motivation is still there. After every storm the sun comes out again."

Auto Motor und Sport quotes him saying: "Nothing has changed. Of course, you don't like criticism, but it's something I've experienced many times.

"Actually, I am a little bit proud," he smiled, according to the SID news agency. "I feel honoured that I am still so interesting to the media."

Schumacher told Spanish newspaper El Pais: "Obviously, I prefer to be flattered."

His friend and countryman, the championship leader Sebastian Vettel, told F1's official website: "Of course for him it is not easy to see that the public and media is trying to write him off.

"Then again Michael has the biggest experience of all drivers in the paddock, so I am very sure that he can deal with this situation."

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