F1: Brawn Says Schumi Will Be 2010 Champion

Formula 1

F1: Brawn Says Schumi Will Be 2010 Champion

He might not win races at the start of the season, but Ross Brawn thinks Michael Schumacher will win the 2010 title...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted January 18, 2010 GMM Newswire

Michael Schumacher. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Michael Schumacher (Left) and Ross Brawn (Right) have a championship-winning history together from their days at Benetton and Ferrari. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

A lack of pre-season testing might prevent Michael Schumacher from winning his first race in 2010, but it won’t prevent him from adding another championship to his record seven, according to Mercedes GP team boss Ross Brawn.

Brawn, who worked alongside Schumacher as technical director during title-winning tenures at Benetton and Ferrari, said, "Time is short" for the 41-year-old to re-acclimatize to F1 following a three-year retirement.

"I don't think Michael can win the first race," he told the German newspaper Bild, prior to just four winter tests with the new car.

"He will need a few races to become accustomed to these cars and the many new drivers. But then I hope to see the famous Schumi. That was always his strength: to adapt and learn incredibly quickly," Brawn added.

Brawn said he senses a "more relaxed" Schumacher to the one that hung up his helmet at the end of his final championship attempt in 2006. And when put up against other contenders for the world title in 2010, Brawn knows where he’d place his wager.

"If I had to bet on any of them then it is clear that Michael will become world champion," Brawn said. "Michael is now more relaxed. When he retired in 2006, F1 was a burden for him. Now I can sense his old enthusiasm.”