Michael Schumacher has accepted it is very unlikely he will claim an eighth Formula One world title this season.
Seven-time champion now focusing on next season
Michael Schumacher has accepted it is very unlikely he will claim an eighth Formula One world title this season.
The 41-year-old German was initially off the pace of Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg when he returned to the sport after a three-year retirement.
But buoyed by a car upgrade before the Spanish Grand Prix, he has enjoyed improved results, although Mercedes still lack the outright pace of the frontrunners.
With a dramatic turnaround needed for him to challenge for this year's championship, Schumacher now says he has turned his attention to the 2011 season.
"When I started the season I was thinking about the championship - that was my aim and focus," Schumacher said ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.
Process
"But then at one point you understand your package is where it is and from there on you have to do a certain programme and process, and that's what we are going through.
"Although the year is still long, I don't think I'm really in a position to win the championship.
"It's more about building up and organising things for what happens from next year onwards, but you never know, it's still a long year with many points available."
The Mercedes camp won both the drivers' and constructors' championships under the guise of surprise package Brawn GP last year.
Schumacher admits that the rebranded outfit, who are 72 points off the pace in the team standings this campaign, have not yet clicked in the same way.
Not perfect
He added: "Sometimes you have very special races and moments where things really fit together perfectly, but we are not there yet.
"I know I am getting there. It's part of the reason I'm doing this, to get to that point. But you need certain ingredients, and we are still searching for those.
"Right now we are in third position in terms of the team situation and we must really work on that.
"That's what we're doing, to get the most out of our possibilities, onto the podium and win races.
"That's what we want to do and we can do that, but it takes time."
