It is an incongruous sight watching a man addicted to speed at one with the languid pace of island life on .
After moving from to a new home on the Channel Island, is simultaneously training for the and the rigours of F1 racing.
The McLaren driver has learned to time his swims to the tidal patterns of the English Channel and to zip on a wetsuit against its chill waters.
Buffeted by island breezes, he cycles along the coastal roads and runs round the island's cliff-top paths, stopping to ask directions from a group of the island's retired female residents.
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To mark his homecoming after three years in retirement, has his own official merchandise stalls at Hockenheim.
Many of the goods on sale - model cars, badges, T-shirts and mugs - bear the slogan 'Comeback - his biggest challenge'. That tag-line has turned out to be uncannily accurate.
Schumacher's marketing team are putting a positive spin on what has been a difficult return to Formula 1.
But there is no hiding the reality that the seven-time world champion has struggled on his comeback, out-qualified by team-mate all but twice in 2010.
Best finishes of fourth in Barcelona and Istanbul have done little for Schumacher's quest for an eighth crown and with more than half the season run he is 109 points off 's championship lead.
But are the German fans still buying into the idea that Schumacher's comeback at the age of 41 is simply another test to prove that he is the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time?
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did not mind admitting that when he drove round in the for the first time, he missed the new Abbey corner and carried on down the .
It just goes to show that there is no substitute for getting in a car and driving when it comes to learning the nuances of a new circuit - even if you are a .
Luckily, two F1 drivers were on hand - 1996 world champion and driver turned 5 live commentator - to chauffeur me in a road car as they ran the rule over Silverstone's new layout.
But before any serious analysis could begin, there was the small matter of adjusting to being driven by a speed specialist.
"If I'm scaring myself, that's not good," Hill said reassuringly, perhaps sensing my nerves. "I'm going to drive within myself so you'll be fine.
"The enjoyment comes when you go into the zone and you're not completely sure what happens next."
Hmm, that's less reassuring.
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People often ask how I came to be the Formula 1 lady for the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ website. Well, after being dragged around vintage car rallies and auto jumbles by my Dad, motor racing got under my skin. I am now a fully paid-up member of F1's travelling circus after a year on the road as part of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ team. I look forward to bringing you more on- and off-track adventures here. You can also follow me on .
