• Hungarian Grand Prix - Qualifying

'Our uptrend has stopped' - Schumacher

Michael Schumacher qualified 17th in Hungary © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Hungarian Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Michael Schumacher said Mercedes simply did not have the pace to compete with the frontrunners during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Schumacher qualified 17th after he lost time on his final run behind Pastor Maldonado, but he said he did not think Mercedes had the pace to make Q3 even with a clean run.

"It was quite a tough and difficult day for us," he said. "We have to clearly see that we did not have the pace to be in the front. I could have done a faster lap probably, without the dust having been brought to the track by Maldonado, but then I still do not think it would have brought me into Q3. I don't think we could have done much more."

Schumacher said Mercedes is currently experiencing a slight slump in form but that it can return to scoring good results soon.

"Formula One is not like a wishing concert where the slope always goes upwards in one direction. It's like a stock market - it goes up and down on the way up. Lately we have a situation where our uptrend has stopped. It doesn't mean it will stop for the rest [of the season] and we will work very hard to get it back to the position where we should be."

And he is hoping to work his way through the field on Sunday, even though he admits that points will be difficult to come by.

"It is difficult, but not impossible with DRS and KERS and so on. Particularly in my case, I'm offset in my position to where I should be, but to get to the points is going to be a challenge, no doubt. The track is apparently slightly different as it's going to be overcast and that will change the situation a little bit because we know how sensitive the tyres are. We might even have some rain coming in at some stage so you have to wait for your opportunity."

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