Middle East champion backs Schumi as contender

Dubai : FIA Vice President Mohammad Bin Sulayem has backed German legend Michael Schumacher as one of the serious contenders for the drivers' F1 crown this season.

"Michael is Michael. He has the taste of winning and we will see a lot of him on the podium this season," Bin Sulayem predicted as Bahrain prepared to host the opening round of the 2010 F1 Championship today.

"He may have retired from the sport, but he never cut himself away from it completely.

"He was very much connected with F1 and with motor sport. So you really can't keep him out. He has the car and I am sure he will give a lot of the younger drivers something to think about as the season progresses," Bin Sulayem added.