Michael Schumacher believes he can sign off the bitter dissatisfaction of his comeback season and take a shock eighth world title this year at the wheel of his Mercedes.
The 42-year-old failed to arrive at the podium in 19 races in 2010 and was totally outshone by Nico Rosberg who finished the campaign 70 points in front of the German veteran.
But there were signs of development towards the end of 2010 and Schumacher's confidence has been boosted by team principal Ross Brawn overseeing an improved technical package.
Asked if he expected to be world champion at the end of the best campaign in F1 history with 20 races, Schumacher told F1 Racing magazine: "Absolutely.
"We have a three-year project. Very clearly right now, we are not where we want to be. We've put a lot of attempt into coming back and are hopeful we have a chance.
"But in the history of Formula One, when does it ever happen that you come back straightaway from this level to win in just one year? Very rarely.
"So I'm sure we can fight for wins this year and we might be able to fight for the title fight. I hope so.
"I'm here on a assignment and I want to succeed. I want to carry out and I'm going to put 100 percent into it. And if that's not the case in 2011, then we will contain to do it in the final year."
Schumacher will be back on track in Valencia for the first of the four pre-season tests from February 1 in front of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 13.
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