Schumacher Relaxed Despite Media Critics

Michael Schumacher declared he is not affected by the critics in the media, insisting he is not motivated to succeed in Formula One by the approval of pundits and headline-writers. The German admitted he was "very angry" at himself after the recent Chinese grand prix, when he was notably slower than his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

For this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, the fifth race of the season, Michael Schumacher has a heavily revised car. However, the German rejects the analysis that how he performs in Spain this weekend could paint the writing on the wall. "Some like to see it as 'now I have the car, now I have to perform, and if not then blah, blah, blah'. I'm less thinking this way," Schumacher said.

Aged 41, the German believes Shanghai was a blip on his trajectory of improvement this season, and declares himself not affected by suggestions he will soon tire of his new F1 foray.

"The main reason I'm coming back is not to have a nice story in the media or be criticised in the media. I'm coming back because I enjoy driving and that's what I'm here for," he told reporters in Barcelona. "Naturally the joy is higher if you win races, and in China I was very disappointed and I was very angry at myself, but you say 'things will be different'," Schumacher added.

The Mercedes Grand Prix driver downplayed the upgrades of the car for the Barcelona race, saying the car is not a new one.

"I'm afraid it's not a new car, quite honestly. There are a couple of new bits and pieces on it to make it quicker. I guess you have heard about various things, certainly the wheelbase is a bit longer and we have some aero updates. Those are the main two factors that we are bringing here," Schumacher was quoted as saying by Autosport.