IANS

Chennai, Aug 4: Seven times World champion Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One is great for the sport and he is bound to win a few races after getting himself "re-acclimatised" at Valencia, says India's only Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan.

Speaking to IANS here on Tuesday, Karthikeyan, 32, opined that 40-year-old Schumacher, who has agreed to come out of retirement after a nearly three-year break to fill in for the injured Felipe Massa of Ferrari, would find the going tough in Valencia later this month.

"Having seen Schumi and raced with him, he will be in the gym from 4 am to 10 pm working on his fitness. I would say that he is bound to win a few races this season," Karthikeyan said.

"Talent does not vanish just like that. In Valencia, he will be thrown at the deep end, not knowing the circuit. He has not tested the Ferrari F60, which is a difficult car to drive on the limit as it has a few nervous characteristics, apparently. But they upgraded the car in Hungary where there were very much on pace. So, I think, Schumi is coming at the right time.

"He will reacclimatise himself at Valencia, but thereafter, I am sure he will go on to win races," said Karthikeyan. who became the first and only Indian (so far) in 2005 to secure a Formula One race seat with Team Jordan.

"Schumi's return is good for the sport and his presence will certainly spice it up. I am sure, he will be quicker than Kimi Raikkonen (in the second Ferrari) who will be under pressure and the youngsters can measure themselves against Schumi."