Michael Schumacher has asked to switch race numbers with team-mate Nico Rosberg for this season.
Mercedes GP’s first signing was Rosberg, and as such he was entered with the FIA under the number three. This means that Schumacher was due therefore to take four, but Bild newspaper has revealed that the German has asked to swap with Rosberg due to superstition. This is a move that will have to be approved by the FIA.
“Ross [Brawn] knows that I prefer to have odd race numbers,” he said.
Odd numbers certainly seem to be lucky for him as he won all seven of his world championships racing under when his car showed them: once with numbers three and five and five of his titles with the number one.
Strangely a car bearing the number four has never won the title, and in the last ten years has only recorded seven grand prix wins.
Schumacher is also sure he is fully fit for the challenge ahead, in an interview on his official website, he denied reports that the neck injury that halted last years comeback could be an issue.
“The after-effects of that accident are long gone, that’s why I was sure that the neck would not cause any problems,” he said.” This was one year ago, that’s over. I am training since December very carefully and feel extremely fresh and fit. That was one of the reasons why I felt so good in the car in Jerez [for his recent GP2 test]. But then, Formula One is another thing, the G-forces are higher, that’s not really comparable. That is why I am looking forward so much to testing in February. Only then the old feeling will be completely back. I can’t wait to be back there.”
Mercedes plans to reveal the colour scheme of its 2010 car in Germany on Monday, although the new car will not be seen until testing begins in Valencia on February 1.
Source: ESPNF1
