Michael Schumacher fights to hold off Lewis Hamilton at the Chinese Grand Prix in April © Getty Images Enlarge Related Links Drivers:

Lewis Hamilton

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Michael Schumacher Teams:

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Lewis Hamilton admitted it is no longer a special feeling to beat seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.

"In the beginning I was very excited about his comeback," Hamilton said during a PR visit to Germany. "But now it's not the same because he is mostly racing behind me. In this respect there is no value in my beating him."

At the start of the year when Schumacher had just announced his comeback, Hamilton said it would be "an honour and privilege" to go wheel to wheel with one of his childhood heroes. "He is one of the sport's greatest competitors, a legend, it will be great to compete against him. It doesn't matter whether I win or lose. The fact I will be able to drive alongside Schumacher is something I can carry all my life."

But Schumacher's comeback has been difficult and he has struggled with both his Mercedes and far more competitive opposition than was often the case when he was dominating with Ferrari.