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Formula One
F1: Schumacher Downplays Strong Bahrain Finish
Michael Schumacher isn't expecting to finish on the podium in Bahrain....
SPEED Staff / GMM  |  Posted March 14, 2010   Sakhir (BHR)
Michael Schumacher will start his first race since 2006 seventh. That's the same position that he made his 1991 debut in. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
After months of headlines and hype, Michael Schumacher is finally ready to make his return to Formula One complete. But he has admitted he will struggle to finish higher than his seventh place starting grid position Sunday in the Bahrain Grand Prix, his first event since 2006.

"The race will be difficult," said the seven time world champion, after being outpaced all weekend by his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. Rosberg has finished ahead of his more famous teammate in every practice session and will start ahead of him in fifth.

"Overtaking?" the 41-year-old is quoted as saying by La Stampa in Italy. "Possible, but unlikely. The McLarens are too fast on the straights and the pace of the Ferraris and Red Bulls is too strong.
“The podium is not an unrealistic dream but it will be very tough.”

Mercedes GP’s Ross Brawn is also downplaying Schumacher’s strength, admitting for the first time that an eighth world championship might be beyond Schumacher's reach in 2010.

When asked Saturday if Schumacher can win the title in 2010, Brawn answered: "I don't know, to be honest, if he can come straight back and win the title.

"I don't think he knows. But he's got to put everything he can into attempting it and we'll do everything we can to give him that opportunity," the Briton is quoted as saying by the Mirror.

Schumacher and Brawn won six of Schumacher’s seven titles together at Ferrari and Brawn also admitted that the winner of a record 91 Grands Prix has at times overstepped the line.

Among Schumacher's notorious sporting transgressions are the 1994 and 1997 title-deciding collisions, and the Rascasse 'parking' affair of 2006.

"Yes," Brawn said, "Michael's fiercely competitive and by his own admission he oversteps it. It's that little bit of the brain that just takes over for a moment. It's not rational.

"But these guys are so competitive," Brawn said. "You'll see that with Alonso, Michael and others. They have this switch that clicks occasionally."

Watch The Bahrain Grand Prix LIVE Sunday at 7:30 am. Eastern on SPEED

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