Although he is the oldest driver on the F1 grid, two years older than the next oldest drivers, David Coulthard and Jacques Villeneuve, and sixteen years older by F1's latest 'rookie', Nico Rosberg, Michael Schumacher doesn't believe that he's past it, far from it.

"I don't really need to feel anything different," he said at this morning's launch of the car it is hoped will take him back to the top of the podium. "There's one thing that is in your passport and another thing that you feel in your body and your brain."

Referring to some of his rivals, including teammate Felipe Massa, who is twelve years his junior, he added: "I've seen these guys around for quite a while now, I know them pretty well. We play soccer and do things together, and I don't have a feeling that I am an old man hopelessly lost against these young guys

"Not at all," he added with a grin. "In a lot of areas I am still able to show them what's possible."

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