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No more F1 joy for Schumacher after struggle at Turkish GP

After a series of poor Grand Prix performances, Michael Schumacher says he is losing his passion for Formula One.
After a series of poor Grand Prix performances, Michael Schumacher says he is losing his passion for Formula One.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Michael Schumacher tells reporters his joy for Formula One racing is on the wane
  • Seven-time champion finished 12th in Turkish GP after crashing into Renault's Vitaly Petrov
  • Schumacher's result in Istanbul is the latest in a series of poor GP performances this year

(CNN) -- Michael Schumacher has revealed that his passion for Formula One racing is dwindling following his 12th place finish at the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 42-year-old seven-time world champion spoke to reporters after a dramatic race in which he started eighth on the grid for Mercedes but dropped as low as 17 after a collision with Renault's Vitaly Petrov forced him to pit for a new nose and front wing.

"The big joy is not there right now except [for] some action -- that's about it," he said. "I said before the race that there was going to be some action and indeed I had lots of action.

"I guess I was responsible myself to have the result that I had. With Petrov I guess it was mostly my mistake what happened there.

"I need to analyze it. It was a bit strange that suddenly we got together and I lost my front wing. The race was a given from there -- lots of fighting, lots of action, but for nothing.

The big joy is not there right now except [for] some action -- that's about it
--Michael Schumacher
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"From where we came [on the grid], going forward is better than still having to defend backwards and mostly I was able to go forward."

"The golden helmet -- that's what we call it in Germany -- that's what I got and nothing else, so it's a bit of a shame."

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn added: "Michael got out of phase because of his unplanned stop on lap two and that left him with a difficult task, especially as a number of other events in the race cost him time."

Schumacher, who made a comeback last season after a three-year break, now has just six points after four races.

His teammate Nico Rosberg holds 20 points after finishing fifth in Istanbul and out-qualifying Schumacher in the three previous races earlier this year.

Schumacher's modest showing at the Turkish Grand Prix is the latest in a string of below par performances, including a disappointing Australian Grand Prix in March, when puncture damage forced him out of the opening race.

The German finished in eighth place in China and ninth in Malaysia.