From GMM
Lewis Hamilton has admitted it is no longer a special feeling to beat seven time world champion Michael Schumacher and thanks the FIA for the new flexibility tests.
When the 41-year-old German announced his return to formula one for 2010, McLaren driver Hamilton said it will be "an honour and privilege" to go wheel to wheel with one of his childhood heroes.
"He is one of the sport's greatest competitors, a legend -- it will be great to compete against him. It doesn't matter whether I win or lose. The fact I will be able to drive alongside Schumacher is something I can carry all my life," said the 2008 world champion, whose F1 career began the season after Schumacher initially retired four years ago.
But 15 races into Schumacher's difficult comeback, the 25-year-old Briton admits the thrill has gone.
"In the beginning I was very excited about his comeback," Lewis Hamilton is quoted by TZ newspaper during a recent visit to Germany.
"But now it's not the same because he is mostly racing behind me. In this respect there is no value in my beating him," he revealed.
During the same visit in Berline, Lewis Hamilton also thanks the FIA for the new flexibility tests.
The tighter FIA flexibility tests might have affected the pace of the Adrian Newey-penned car, he thinks.
"Good question, in Hungary they were 2 seconds per lap faster than the rest of us. It is simply impossible to have a lead like that," the McLaren driver told Bild newspaper.
When asked specifically if he thinks Red Bull were cheating earlier in 2010, Lewis Hamilton answered: "We have always kept to the rules. Our people wondered if their car was legal and we asked the FIA. After that Red Bull had to rebuild their car and take a step back. It was a good decision by the FIA."
He was also asked about the apparent psychological warfare being deployed by his championship rivals at present, particularly by his former McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso.
"It's normal that, at the end of a season, the mind games begin. I'm strong enough and ready for it. I'm not worried, but I think it's best if you just do your talking on the track," said the 2008 world champion.
And despite almost writing off his championship chances after Singapore, Hamilton now insists he is ready for the challenge of the final four races of 2010.
"I was back at home in Zurich for one day; I woke up in the morning and went for a run in the forest with rap music on my headphones. So I'll be back," he insisted.
Lewis Hamilton has admitted it is no longer a special feeling to beat seven time world champion Michael Schumacher and thanks the FIA for the new flexibility tests.
When the 41-year-old German announced his return to formula one for 2010, McLaren driver Hamilton said it will be "an honour and privilege" to go wheel to wheel with one of his childhood heroes.
"He is one of the sport's greatest competitors, a legend -- it will be great to compete against him. It doesn't matter whether I win or lose. The fact I will be able to drive alongside Schumacher is something I can carry all my life," said the 2008 world champion, whose F1 career began the season after Schumacher initially retired four years ago.
But 15 races into Schumacher's difficult comeback, the 25-year-old Briton admits the thrill has gone.
"In the beginning I was very excited about his comeback," Lewis Hamilton is quoted by TZ newspaper during a recent visit to Germany.
"But now it's not the same because he is mostly racing behind me. In this respect there is no value in my beating him," he revealed.
During the same visit in Berline, Lewis Hamilton also thanks the FIA for the new flexibility tests.
The tighter FIA flexibility tests might have affected the pace of the Adrian Newey-penned car, he thinks.
"Good question, in Hungary they were 2 seconds per lap faster than the rest of us. It is simply impossible to have a lead like that," the McLaren driver told Bild newspaper.
When asked specifically if he thinks Red Bull were cheating earlier in 2010, Lewis Hamilton answered: "We have always kept to the rules. Our people wondered if their car was legal and we asked the FIA. After that Red Bull had to rebuild their car and take a step back. It was a good decision by the FIA."
He was also asked about the apparent psychological warfare being deployed by his championship rivals at present, particularly by his former McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso.
"It's normal that, at the end of a season, the mind games begin. I'm strong enough and ready for it. I'm not worried, but I think it's best if you just do your talking on the track," said the 2008 world champion.
And despite almost writing off his championship chances after Singapore, Hamilton now insists he is ready for the challenge of the final four races of 2010.
"I was back at home in Zurich for one day; I woke up in the morning and went for a run in the forest with rap music on my headphones. So I'll be back," he insisted.