Schumacher hoping for German king

Michael Schumacher has admitted that is naturally hoping that fellow countryman Sebastian Vettel can win this year's Formula One world championship title, after admitting that his own sights are set on the success of next season.

The two Teutons were paired in the opening press conference of the German Grand Prix weekend, along with the Vettel's Red Bull team-mate and title rival Mark Webber, and Schumacher was asked which of his colleagues he foresaw taking the 2010 crown. Although he tried to hedge his bets - and not confine with his views simply to the Red Bull team - the seven-time champion conceded that his heart would always rule his head.

"First of all, it's obviously clear that both of the guys to the left and right of me have a very good package and a very good possibility to the fight and win the championship, but you probably don't have to forget the McLaren drivers, that they're still in the picture," Schumacher insisted, "I don't think it's finished yet, but naturally you sort of get the feelings of your national heart and coming up and, therefore, you sort of have a German tendency. I'm sorry Mark, but I guess that's normal."

Asked what advice he could give those hoping to follow in his footsteps - neither RBR driver has won an F1 title before, and of course - Schumacher admitted that there was no single key to unlocking the door.

"I don't think I can give the answer you're looking for in mentioning one of the particular part, because it's like a detailed or small piece or puzzle of the big picture," he stressed, "You have to have all those little bits together to and finally do it.

"I think from great champions there are always a lot of things you can learn and, also, if you look outside the table of F1, if you look at the others sports, [such as] tennis, golf, there are great players, great individuals," he said, "They're probably all talented, but then there are one or two been popping out, like Roger Federer and Nadal in tennis.