Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher admitted Friday he couldn't wait to get back behind the wheel and racing again at the Bahrain Grand Prix in just over a week's time.

"Finally the season will start! I feel like a child looking forward to Christmas," said Schumacher, who returns after a three-year absence and will race for Mercedes at the season-opener on March 14.

"The decision to make my comeback feels like a long time ago now and I can hardly wait for the season to get underway in Bahrain."

Schumacher continued: "It's funny to think that I will be competing in Formula One again when just a few months ago, I would have declined the opportunity categorically.

"But sometimes things change and the right circumstances come together. I feel fresher than I have for many years. I am perfectly prepared physically and most importantly, my energy is back completely."

Schumacher, who will team-up with Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, stunned Formula One in December when he announced his return to the sport, leaping at the opportunity to work again with Ross Brawn, the man who helped guide him to his world title collection - two at Benetton and five at Ferrari.

"When I retired from racing in 2006, my batteries were simply empty," he explained. "Now they are totally recharged and I am ready for the challenge.

"It is the competition at the highest level that only Formula One offers which has provided the temptation for me.

"It is always difficult to predict the form in pre-season testing, this year more than ever, but the final test in Barcelona proved to us that we should be competitive.

"We know that we will have more new parts in Bahrain which should bring extra performance to the car. It's important to be in the leading group from the start of the season and I am confident that we will be there."