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Ecclestone not sure Schumacher can win

Bernie EcclestoneBernie Ecclestone has said that he is not convinced that Michael Schumacher has what it takes to win this season for two reasons – there are a lot of strong drivers in this year’s line-up and if Schumacher’s car is not quick enough to be at the front of the pack, he might get frustrated.

“There are a lot of drivers in with a chance this season,” Ecclestone said last night to the Times newspaper. “Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and I think Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull looks very good. He would be one of my strongest tips for the title.

“But, at the moment, we don t know what sort of car Michael has got and it seems he might not be at the front. We all know what he is like when things don t go his way and he might run out of patience if he finds himself stuck in the middle.

“At least if Michael gets heated up, it will be good for the viewers and the sport — anything but politics.”

The Mercedes GP cars have not yet looked to be super-quick in testing however with Ross Brawn leading the team, many believe there is a lot more to come from the car. Schumacher, too, has high hopes for his new team.

“This is what I am here for and I am confident that we can play a role,” he said on his website. “If we win it at the end it will be a different question, as it always is in sports. Our team is extremely motivated.

“We all want to win. This season will be long and hard but I love this fight. It is because of this fight that I came back to Formula One. I said it quite clear from the beginning that we do not have to — and probably will not — be in the position to win.”

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