Quote:

Schumacher hits out at lack of action
Sunday, 14 March 2010 15:42

Michael Schumacher fears that the 2010 regulations are going to lead to a string of processional races, having had an uneventful run to sixth in today's Bahrain Grand Prix.

The returning world champion followed his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg home, and held off Jenson Button and Mark Webber as they closed in late on.

With the lack of refuelling meaning most tyre stops were completed before one third distance, the race saw little action bar the start and leader Sebastian Vettel's technical problem.

"It's as good as it could have been," Schumacher told reporters.

"It's the start - and then after that it's just a case of going at your pace and not doing mistakes, because overtaking is basically impossible unless somebody makes a mistake.

"Lewis Hamilton made one so Nico was able to get past him, he got back past at the pit stop, and that was it, that's the action we're unfortunately going to have with this kind of environment of race strategy."

But despite his concerns about the race format, Schumacher insisted he had enjoyed his first race back in Formula 1.

"It was good fun, especially the beginning," he said.

"Now we've got to work forward to catch up with what's in front of us."

He said he had always anticipated being a little below par this weekend as he tried to shake off three seasons of rustiness.

"After three years away I guess it's natural that you have to find your way into the new bits and pieces," Schumacher said.