While F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is delighted to see Michael Schumacher return to the sport, one of several factors contributing to the most noticeable pre-season buzz in recent history, the Englishman doubts whether the German will win the title.

"There are a lot of drivers in with a chance this season," says Ecclestone, according to the Times. "Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and I think Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull looks very good. He would be one of my strongest tips for the title.

"But, at the moment, we don't know what sort of car Michael has got and it seems he might not be at the front. We all know what he is like when things don't go his way and he might run out of patience if he finds himself stuck in the middle."

Ecclestone is clearly referring to the sort of 'incidents', usually born of frustration, that occurred from time to time throughout Schumacher's career and which resulted in the German's 'flawed genius' reputation. However, while he might sometimes let this frustration get the better of him he didn't need to be in a championship winning car in order to win races, far less titles. Therefore, even if the Mercedes is not on a par with the Ferrari, McLaren or Red Bull - and nobody really knows that at this time - only a fool would write off the seven-time champ's chances.

With an eye on Schumacher's 'history', Ecclestone added: "At least if Michael gets heated up, it will be good for the viewers and the sport... anything but politics."