Schumacher, who spent three years in retirement before opting to return with
Mercedes, believes Raikkonen would have no trouble making a return despite
his own period away from Formula
One.
The 42 year-old German added: “You think about your potential, about how
much can you drive the car to its limit.
“That was the main concern I had, and one I was able to answer right away
at my first test.
“It took me probably 15 laps to get back in and drive the car, not at its
limit but close, and from then on it was just a matter of time.
“I am pretty sure with Kimi he is capable of doing so.”
Schumacher, though, knows when it comes to considering any kind of return, his
thoughts on the matter three years ago will be very different to the ones
currently going through Raikkonen’s mind.
Schumacher said: “The only thing I am thinking is that he thinks
completely different!
“So there is no point trying to figure out what I thought about at the
time and relating it to him. Instead, I will leave it to you to figure it
out.”
Raikkonen has at least confirmed he is in talks with Williams, but that as yet
he has “no contract in any way”.
After spending nine years in F1, however, like Schumacher he is convinced the
transition in returning will not be too difficult.
Speaking to Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, Raikkonen said: “F1
is the one thing I have done for most of my life. It is much more
challenging trying something else.
“From what I have seen on television it hasn’t changed very much. The
biggest thing for me would be the different tyres.”