Reality catches up with Schumacher

This column normally is very happy to be proven right, but there is one subject where it would have been nice to have got it wrong. I've long argued that Michael Schumacher's return to the sport he dominated for so long was a mistake. Now it's beginning to sound like the German is beginning to agree.

Another poor performance in Turkey, littered with mistakes, moved Schumacher to muse to reporters that 'the big joy is not there right now'. You may wonder why a man who has been crowned world champion seven times is struggling so badly and employing such poor judgment during a race.

For the majority of his career, Schumacher has been at the front, in the best car and benefiting from team orders. None of that applies now. He's frankly been a menace when defending positions and you have to wonder if it's because he's just not been that used to doing it.

There has been a lot of speculation the legendary German will not be racing next season. But as we head to Spain this weekend, either Schumacher started to get out of bed on the right side or Mercedes' PR machine has cranked up. All of a sudden he's raring to go again, telling the media: 'While I was not happy with my weekend in Turkey, there have been clear signs of improvements for us as a team, which obviously push and reboost my motivation even more.' We will see.

There's no pleasing some people in Formula One. The Turkish Grand Prix had the most overtaking in a race that anyone could remember. It also had 80-odd pit stops. It might have been a bit confusing to work out who was where at the back of the field, but it was very exciting with action everywhere.

However, some commentators are saying it's all too easy to get past somebody, and the new rules have taken away the 'purity' of the sport. If by purity they mean being stuck behind the car in front for lap after lap, then I can't say I'm too bothered.