Michael Schumacher is adamant he will win a World title with Mercedes GP but concedes that it may not be in his first year back racing. The seven-time World Champion is making his return to Formula One this season, having signed a three-year contract with Mercedes, the new owners of last year's Championship-winning Brawn GP team.
And although many are expecting Schumacher to excel upon his return, just as many believe the German will find the going tough.
Schumacher, however, reckons it's only a matter of time before he wins an eighth Drivers' Championship title.
"In our long-term targets with Mercedes, we have established a clear objective," the 41-year-old told the Bild newspaper.
"I want to become World Champion again. Perhaps that will not happen in my first season back, but it is a realistic possibility over the three seasons."
Schumacher's confidence is echoed by Mercedes GP team boss Ross Brawn.
"I do not believe that Michael will win at his first race. He will need a few races until he's accustomed to the car and the new drivers.
"But I hope in the long-term (he can). That was always his strength: he can adapt and learn unbelievably fast."
The German's reign was unprecedented, easily surpassing Juan Manuel Fangio's tally of five F1 World titles.
The most any of the current drivers, excluding the returning Schumacher, have amassed is Alonso's two, leaving the Spaniard to concede that Schumacher's record may stand for many years to come.
"Winning seven Championships would be tough, if not impossible in today's Formula One," the Ferrari driver said, "but I will attempt to win as much as possible in the coming years."
Felipe Massa is adamant he has cleared the air with new Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso. Massa caused a stir towards the end of last year, following the confirmation of Alonso's appointment, by claiming the Spaniard was aware of the 'crashgate' plot that resulted in his victory in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
It was not the first time views had been aired between the duo as they twice had differences of opinion following races in Spain and Germany in 2007.
Such past confrontations led to suggestions their Latin temperaments would continue to clash at Ferrari, yet Massa maintains he and Alonso have so far managed to start off their new partnership on the right foot, in stark contrast to his previous relationship with Kimi Raikkonen.
"Things have started extremely well," said Massa. "We've already started to speak a lot about the car and what to do to have a competitive car.
"I've spoken more to Fernando now than in three years with Kimi.
Schumacher is making a return to F1 after signing a shock deal with Mercedes GP. The German, though, will be the oldest driver on the grid, leaving some to question whether he still has what it takes.
Coulthard believes they could be in for a surprise.
"I actually think it will be more the other way. I think the young generation will be surprised just how ruthless Michael can be to achieve his goals.
"That is the thing I am curious to see - does he still have that last little killer instinct that made Michael such a dominant force in F1 before?"
However, the Scot, who had many a battle with Schumacher before the seven-time World Champion hang up his helmet, admits he was surprised by Schumacher's decision to return.
"I am surprised," he said. "Three years out of F1. He has been off doing motorbikes and all sorts of other things, but to come back and sign a three-year contract to comeback at 41 years old - that is tremendously exciting for motorsport in general.
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