Schumacher turns focus to 2011

Michael Schumacher has ruled out challenging for his eighth Formula One title this year and turned his main focus to 2011.

The 41-year-old German is ninth overall in the championship, nine races into his comeback season with Mercedes, and 93 points behind McLaren’s leader Lewis Hamilton with 10 grands prix remaining.

“I’m not really thinking about the championship any more, that’s unrealistic from my point of view considering the points I have,” he told reporters at the British Grand Prix.

“So all we do, from my perspective, is try to learn as much as we can and prepare for next year. That’s what I’m fully motivated on.

“I have been in all sorts of circumstances in my career and don’t worry, I don’t suffer at all about this in a way that removes my motivation,” said the former Ferrari driver, winner of a record 91 races.

“I put in as much effort as ever and I drive on a level that I can be happy with.”

Schumacher finished 15^th in the European Grand Prix in Valencia at the end of last month, the lowest race classification of his career.

The German said Silverstone should see signs of improvement for Mercedes.

“Considering where we’ve been it’s difficult to see it getting worse,” he added.