Michael Schumacher's sensational return to F1 has captured the headlines around the world. How does the seven-time world champion see the season turning out?

F1: For many of us, Michael, your decision to return is quite a surprise. Why did you want to make a comeback, and is it going to be tough aged 41?

MS: I wanted the challenge and I have always loved racing. I have missed it so much. I nearly had the chance last year with Ferrari when Felipe was injured, but that did not work out. Now with Ross and Mercedes together it is an offer I can't refuse! I am just delighted. I am sure that my fitness is going to be an issue for a lot of people, but I think I will be ok.

F1: In your time at Ferrari, and previously at Benetton, you were a serial race winner and you took the championship seven times, a record. Where do you think you are going to be competitively speaking this season?

MS: That depends so much, of course, on the car, the team and the opposition. I am certain we have a good team. This is the team that won the championship last year and that is a good starting point I believe! But we are not going to go out and automatically win races just because of what has happened in the past, with me or with this team. It does not work out like that.

F1: So what are the prospects?

MS: Well, in general terms, when a team wins the titles but with fewer things in place, it has to be the goal in the next season to become champion again, with even better resources. That is the case I think with Brawn, with Mercedes now. But it is difficult to achieve this. It would be just too optimistic to think that we are going for a victory in our first race. We have a new team, with a few big changes, new owners, new drivers. I think we have to watch and look. We have to follow the leaders and then fight for podiums and then get as many points as possible. After that, let us see what happens.

F1: Just going back to your fitness. Last year you had a serious motor cycling accident and you damaged your neck. This was the reason that you did not return to deputise for Felipe Massa. Is your neck stronger now, and strong enough for the G forces in Formula One?

MS: Yes, I think so. I have worked a lot on my fitness in the winter time. And to be honest I must say that I feel really good, extremely well. I know that now I have to go out and prove behind the wheel that everything is ok with me. I have tested in GP2 cars and I have done the testing I need for the season. Testing in this year's car is another step. I am well prepared. I am confident.

F1: Early in your career, you signed to race for the Mercedes team in sports car racing, in group C, and it gave your career a good base and a boost. How does it feel to be returning in the first Mercedes team in Formula One for such a long time, for 55 years in fact?

MS: It's great. It's a factor for me in my decision and it feels like a homecoming. After 14 years at Ferrari, for me the circle has gone around again and closed in with me coming back to Mercedes where I began. My decision to do this was based on the fact that I could work with Ross Brawn again, of course, because we have done so much and achieved so much, but also I could have all the nice benefits of experiencing Mercedes and their capabilities.

F1: You are fully involved again. Is that going to be difficult for your family after having you at home these last three years?

MS: No, not really. Well, I hope not. Always they can come to the races. Plus there is not the testing anymore like we used to have, and also I have been busy doing a lot of things anyway during the last few years so it is not going to be a big change.

F1: After the initial testing runs, how does the car feel? Can you win again?

 MS: It is so difficult to see the order of the teams with the new fuel rules. Certainly you can see which cars look quick, but that is all. It's very tough for all of us to understand. We have four that I think are the major teams and others that look very interesting. I said Sauber and I think Renault also look quick. But there are question marks too. If you look at other teams that have done long runs, you have a certain drop off that is tyre related and it is clear to see that. In the end, the good teams stay all in the same window.

F1: So the new fuel rules, the ending of refuelling during races, are already taking effect?

MS: Yes. In this kind of way, we are not able to be precise because you can play so much with the fuel loads and even with the ballast if you want to. So there's a lot of speculation going on, even for us, but it's very interesting.