Schuey: 'I can win in 2011'

Michael Schumacher has tipped himself to return to the top step of the podium in 2011 - should Mercedes provide him with a competitive car.

Speaking to German media, the seven-time Formula One world champion said the team was in a better position going into 2011 "because of the immense support from Mercedes".

"We will make a big leap forward and - if all goes well - win races," he said. "But we cannot presume to think that we will be fighting for the championship."

Read more on Mercedes' future plans in F1

Schumacher also said his car was plagued with problems compared with his Mercedes' team-mate Nico Rosberg in 2010. "My floor was burned because of the exhaust being too hot, or the F-duct working in places where it should not," he said.

Referring to Singapore, where Schumacher was unusually lacklustre, he said: "A week later I got the team's analysis: my team-mate and I were five degrees apart on the front wing. In Formula One, that's a world." He continued: "At Spa my F-duct didn't work, but I didn't say anything. At Suzuka it happened again -- again a problem with my car but not with Nico's.

"I said to Norbert [Haug] and Ross [Brawn] that it was time for an explanation of the reasons. I prefer to speak inside the team, and I am convinced that in 2011 the problems will exist no more. I was away for three years, and I'm no longer 25. The car was a compromise. With the tyre, it was difficult for me to drive how I wanted to."