Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher admitted Monday he has been thrilled by the amount of interest from his fans in his return to Formula One racing.
Having retired in 2006, the 41-year-old has broken his three-year hiatus to sign a three-year contract to race for Mercedes GP and reunite with Ross Brawn, the man who orchestrated all of his world drivers' championship titles.
Schumacher was at the launch of Mercedes' Formula One car in Stuttgart and said he is looking forward to his first Grand Prix for three years in Bahrain on March 14 which is eagerly anticipated by his fans here.
"I have been taken aback a bit by the interest," he said standing next to Mercedes' Silver Arrow Formula One car.
"I was both surprised and thrilled to see the reaction.
"It's a great thrill to be back and to be part of the Silver Arrow team, it's great emotion and feeling I am getting from people outside.
"I'd like to thank the fans - it gives me extra push to do well.
"I am fit and I am looking forward to testing the new car next month."
And Schumacher repeated his desire to claim an eighth world title with the German team.
"We have everything it takes to succeed, but it is one thing to have the correct ingredient and another to manage it," he said.
"With the experience of Ross and with all the know-how of Mercedes: I am sorry, but there can only be one target for us to achieve."
Having won five consecutive world titles with Ferrari, Schumacher says there will be no divided loyalties.
"There is quite a lot of my history and a part of my heart is (Ferrari) red and you can't forget all the good moments we have had together," he said.
"I am really looking forward to seeing some of my friends who I worked with for so long.
"I am still friends with them, we can compete, but it doesn't mean we have to forget what has happened in the past. It is still deep in my heart."
And in terms of his advancing years, Schumacher says he has nothing to prove.
"I just want to prove to myself that I am still able to do it," said the German.
"The main reason I am doing it is because of the thrill.
"I feel a huge sense of excitement just to drive and compete at the highest level.
"It was great to have a three-year break, but now I see no reason why I can't do it again at the highest level."
Brawn, who masterminded all of Schumacher's seven world titles in the pits - first at Benetton and then at Ferrari - said he was delighted to resume their partnership on the track.
"Working with Michael again is a treat, it is something I didn't think would happen again and it is something I am excited about," said Brawn.
"Nico is an exciting prospect and I think he will be good for Michael - it will also help him to see how a world champion operates."
Schumacher's team-mate Nico Rosberg, the son of Finland's 1982 Formula One World Champion Keke Rosberg, admitted he was excited to be working with both Schumacher and Brawn having raced for Williams in 2009.
"It's very special," said the German.
"It's a dream come true to be able to drive the first silver arrow since 1955. It's fantastic, I look forward to it.
"Having Michael as a team-mate is great, it is going to be a great season."
"There aren't many German stars in the world, but two of them have joined together in Michael Schumacher and Mercedes," said Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of the Daimler group and the head of Mercedes-Benz.
"And there is no reason why Nico Rosberg can't become a world star."
There is obvious pride at Mercedes in having Schumacher racing for the German team next season.
"We are the Germany team of Formula One," said Zetsche.
"We want to be world champions, to have the best car, but that is not to say it will happen in the first year.
"We are a new team and we will need time."
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
