Brawn: Mercedes and Schumacher set to bounce back (News Feature)

By Christian Hollmann Apr 14, 2010, 10:59 GMT

Shanghai - Michael Schumacher will get stronger in each race and will have a shot for the Formula One title, his Mercedes GP team boss Ross Brawn said.

Brawn said in an interview with German Press Agency dpa that he was not deterred by a rather slow start of the record champion Schumacher into the season after three years away from racing.

'It is quite clear that he will be stronger in each race ... Michael is getting more and more into it each weekend,' said Brawn, adding that the same applies to team-mate Nico Rosberg.

'I believe it will be a fascinating fight between them. Both will have good results as soon as we give them a car that matches their talent. Then they will be able to drive right at the top.

'The title fight is far from decided. Due to the new points system there can be dramatic changes in the standings on just one race weekend.'

Brawn was involved in all of Schumacher's seven world titles before the German retired in 2006. His presence at Mercedes GP, formed from Brawn GP where he led Jenson Button to the 2009 title, was a key reason for Schumacher to return to racing.

Schumacher came sixth at the season-opener in Bahrain and 10th in Australia before a car problem forced him to retire in Malaysia. He has just nine points, 30 points less than the leader, Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Rosberg, by contrast, is fifth with 35 points, close to the leaders from Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren.

'The top teams look very strong at the moment. We concede that we don't have the performance we desire. We are in an aggressive development programme over the next months through which we should close the gap,' said Brawn.

Schumacher has also said he remains optimistic, with the next chance coming on Sunday at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

'We hope to continue the positive trend in China,' said Brawn. It would be good especially for Michael to have a problem-free race and to show the improvements he has made since the start of the season,' said Brawn.

Australian Red Bull driver Mark Webber is more sceptical about Schumacher's comeback, but world champion Button rates Mercedes among the top teams and expects Schumacher at the top soon.

'I've got no doubts that Michael will be back at the front very soon. Ross and Michael know each other very well and know how to work together and get the best out of the car, so I think it's only a matter of 'when' rather than 'if.'

'I think Michael's doing a very good job: people tend to overlook the fact that he's been out of the cockpit for three years, but his pace has been extremely good. And he's getting quicker too as he gets up to speed with modern F1 machinery,' Button told dpa.