Schumacher in high spirits after leg op

WORLD CHAMPION Michael Schumacher vowed he would be back to his best when he returns to the cockpit of his car in January - after the operation to remove a pin from his leg was successful.

The German is now recovering at his Switzerland home after he had the 30-centimeter pin, which was inserted after his crash in the British Grand Prix in 1999, and he admitted that everything went well with the surgery.

"I feel fine after the operation," Schumacher said. "I am confident I will soon be mobile again with no problems and will continue to enjoy my holidays.

"That way, I will be in top form when it is time to start work again."

The Ferrari driver will now recuperate in Switzerland for four to six weeks and will not begin testing work until January.