( CNN ) -- By qualifying fourth for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix , Michael Schumacher offered a tantalising hint he was ready to shake off the indifferent form he has displayed since returning to Formula One in 2010 . The seven-time world champion 's challenge in Melbourne was cut short by a 10th-lap gearbox failure , but the German insists the true strength of this year 's cars and drivers will not be known until after this weekend 's race in Malaysia . `` The circuit in Melbourne is not really representative of the true competitive picture , '' the Mercedes driver told the sport 's official website . `` But nevertheless the car gives me a good feeling for the season ahead . F1 teams and drivers for 2012 . `` Sepang will be interesting for everybody because it will be the first clue to the real relative strengths of all the cars . '' Sunday 's race was won by McLaren 's 2009 world champion Jenson Button , with Red Bull 's back-to-back title winner Sebastian Vettel claiming second place . Schumacher is convinced Mercedes ' F1 W03 car -- which features a controversial DRS-activated F-duct device that has attracted scrutiny from other teams -- is capable of helping him and teammate Nico Rosberg challenge for honors in 2012 . `` After the disappointment of how the first race in Melbourne turned out , I am flying to Malaysia with a big sense of anticipation , '' the 43-year-old said . `` We saw in Australia that our car is capable of putting us in the mix . '' Schumacher 's compatriot Vettel expressed that the Sepang Circuit , where he was victorious in 2011 , is a more difficult challenge than it first appears . `` It has big run-off areas and a broad track , meaning it appears easy , but it 's not , '' the sport 's youngest double world champion said . `` The heat , high humidity and weather are n't the only challenges , as the main thing is to find the ideal car set up . It 's good to go there off the back of Australia and I hope we get another strong result . '' Ferrari came into the new campaign off the back of a disappointing preseason , with the F2012 car struggling for pace . Spanish driver Fernando Alonso , who lost his title as F1 's youngest two-time champion to Vettel , put in an admirable drive last weekend to finish fifth after starting the race in 12th . The 30-year-old said changeable weather conditions in Malaysia would test the competitors . `` There is no other place in the world , the Formula One world that is , where it can go from sunshine to torrential rain in the space of a few minutes , '' he said . `` Those on the pit wall will have to keep their eyes peeled and look at the radar carefully to be ready for any possible change in the weather . ''
Michael Schumacher says Malaysian GP will show true quality of 2012 teams . The Williams driver qualified fourth for Australian GP , but retired after just two laps . Reigning champion Sebastian Hamilton says the circuit is more difficult than first appears . Ferrari 's Fernando Alonso says drivers and teams need to be aware of changeable weather .