Michael Schumacher upbeat ahead of last 2 races

Thursday, November 4, 2010

SAO PAULO - The Associated Press

Despite a lack of podium finishes, Michael Schumacher insists he is happy with how things have turned out in his return to Formula One and is hoping a strong finish in the last two races will help him carry positive momentum into next year.

"The season is coming to an end and I have to say that I am very impressed with how our guys have coped with it, especially in the last few flyaway races," the 41-year-old Mercedes driver said. "Even though we have not had any big developments recently, we have still delivered promising performances."

Schumacher, who came out of a three-year retirement this season, arrives at the Brazilian Grand Prix boosted by two solid finishes in Japan and South Korea. He was sixth in the Japanese GP and fourth in the Korean GP, where he matched his best finish of the year. He also had been fourth in Turkey and in Spain.

"The characteristics of the Interlagos circuit are not too far away from those of the last races so we can go to Brazil in quite a confident mood," the seven-time world champion said. "Our fighting spirit is good and we would like to finish the season in a positive way. So I am looking forward to going to Sao Paulo and hopefully achieving another result that I can be happy with."

Schumacher is currently ninth in the drivers' standings with 66 points, 56 behind Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg and 165 behind leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.