Jordan expects Schumacher comeback

Former Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan believes Michael Schumacher will replace Jenson Button at the newly-named Mercedes team for next season.

World champion Button joined Lewis Hamilton at McLaren earlier this week after the Brawn team with which he won the drivers' title was renamed Mercedes.

Speculation has mounted that seven-time champion Schumacher, who could not replace the injured Felipe Massa on a short-term deal at Ferrari last season because of a back injury picked up racing motorcycles, could be drafted into the team run by former Benetton and Ferrari colleague Ross Brawn.

Jordan, who ran an F1 team under his own name, said: "I believe the Brawn team will have Michael Schumacher in it next year.

"And my reasons for believing that is that at Abu Dhabi, the grand prix, the last race Dr (Dieter) Zetsche - (chairman of the Daimler board) - Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher were deep in conversation and I believe it was to do with possibly joining the team as driver for the 2010 championship," Jordan told Radio Five Live.

Hamilton relishing Brazil party

Lewis Hamilton is ready to revel in Sao Paulo's party atmosphere this year.
In each of the last two seasons, the Brazilian Grand Prix has seen Hamilton embroiled in a world championship fight, losing out in 2007 prior to taking the crown in dramatic fashion a year ago.

Twelve months on, and although Hamilton has picked up more points than any other driver over the last six races, the McLaren star is simply an interested spectator in the race for the title on this occasion.

McLaren's abysmal start to the campaign has denied Hamilton the chance of being in the title shake-up along with Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello and Sebastian Vettel.

But it leaves the 24-year-old able to soak up more of Sao Paulo and Interlagos, one of motor racing's respected and renowned circuits.

"I'm really looking forward to this year's Brazilian Grand Prix," remarked Hamilton.

"It will be the first time I've been in Sao Paulo without being in contention for the world championship.

"I'm actually looking forward to taking in a bit more of the city and relaxing and enjoying the experience of driving on one of the world's greatest racetracks.

"One of the greatest things about racing at Interlagos is the crowd. There's such a great atmosphere.

"The fans have so much energy and life. It's a party while you're working, and it's great to see everyone happy."

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh also suspects this weekend will be a more relaxed affair for the entire team in comparison to the last two high-pressurised occasions in Brazil.

"Nobody on our team will ever forget the dramatic final laps of the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix as they are memories that will live with us forever," said Whitmarsh.

"Of course, the defining moments of the last two world championships have both taken place in Brazil and, as a result, the race has become an unusually colourful and intense occasion for us.

"Travelling to Sao Paulo this year with our focus solely on achieving the very best result will allow us to attack the race weekend without any additional considerations, and we are very much looking forward to that challenge."

Hamilton: No pressure on McLaren

Having endured a nail-biting outing last year, McLaren are looking forward to racing in Brazil without any pressure.
Lewis Hamilton captured the driver's title at the season-ending Interlagos last year, and while there are still two races remaining in this year's season the McLaren star cannot defend his title.

With only pride on the line the Briton admits he's looking to have a bit more fun in Brazil than he has had in the past, with the energetic crowd something he's looking forward to.

"I'm really looking forward to this year's Brazilian Grand Prix - it will be the first time I've travelled to Sao Paulo without being in contention for the World Championship, and I'm actually looking forward to taking in a bit more of the city and relaxing and enjoying the experience of driving on one of the world's greatest racetracks," said Hamilton.

"One of the greatest things about racing at Interlagos is the crowd. There's such a great atmosphere; the fans have so much energy and life. It's a party while you're working, and it's great to see everyone happy."

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh echoed the thoughts of his driver but insisted the team would not be resting on their laurels despite being out of the title race.

"Travelling to Sao Paulo this year with our focus solely on achieving the very best result will allow us to attack the race weekend without any additional considerations, and we are very much looking forward to that challenge," explained Whitmarsh.

For his part Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug insisted the race for the Championship title was far from over with Jenson Button only 14 points ahead of his Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello and 16 points ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.

"The world championship fight is open and electrifying - I know from my own experience what I am talking about when I say that with a 16-point deficit of Sebastian to Jenson, nothing has been decided yet," said Haug.