Lewis plays down Schumacher threat

Lewis Hamilton believes Michael Schumacher will find it difficult to live up to the high expectations being raised by his dramatic return to Formula 1, given that he has missed more than half of the 2009 season.

Bernie Ecclestone has tipped the 40-year-old German to give his younger rivals “a driving lesson” when he steps into the Ferrari cockpit as a substitute for the injured Felipe Massa at Valencia, and Ross Brawn has said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Schumacher win one of the season’s remaining races.

Hamilton, however, doubts that the seven-time world champion will resume his former position of dominance so easily.

“Coming in at this part of the season, Michael is at a disadvantage because he hasn’t had the same experiences as everyone else,” he told the Mail on Sunday.

“It would be unfair to say that I’ll be excited if I finish ahead of him in Valencia because it is his first race of the season.”

Hamilton has never raced against Schumacher, having joined the F1 grid in 2007, the year after the German retired.

The reigning champion has already spoken of his excitement at having the opportunity to do so, describing it as “an honour and a privilege”.

But he is sensitive to the circumstances of Schumacher’s comeback and says he is eager to see his 2008 title rival Massa – who suffered a fractured skull and brain concussion in a freak accident in Hungary on July 25 – return to the fray.

“My thoughts are still with Felipe and his family following his terrible accident,” he said.

“I’ve read on the internet how much progress he has made and things are getting more encouraging by the day.

“I know first-hand how much fighting spirit Felipe has because we had a fantastic battle for the championship last year. He was a total gentleman throughout.

“I want Felipe to know we’re all waiting for him; Michael might be keeping his seat warm, but I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

McLaren’s uncompetitiveness in the first half of the season has left Hamilton powerless to defend the title he pipped Massa to last year.

But after a new aerodynamic package transformed the MP4-24’s performance and enabled him to score an emphatic first win of the season in Hungary, the 24-year-old is now brimming with confidence.

“Winning in Budapest has really given me extra strength,” he said.

“I know I now have a car beneath me that can push us to the front and I want to be ready to deliver.”