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I'm not on Rosberg's level - Schumacher

Michael Schumacher has been off the pace of Nico Rosberg this season © Getty Images

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• Drivers:
• Bernie Ecclestone
• |
• Nico Rosberg
• |
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Michael Schumacher has admitted that he is not on Nico Rosberg's "level" at the moment but is confident he can turn the situation around.

Schumacher has been beaten 10 times in qualifying this year by his younger team-mate and is 56 points adrift in the drivers' championship.

When asked by Formula One's official website if he thought he was faster than Rosberg, Schumacher said: "I see all the details. True, with how the car behaves at the moment I am not driving at his level. At least not in qualifying. In the race it's very equal. I know precisely how I can change that fact - and I am working on it."

He explained that the handling of the car still does not suit him but said he was intent on changing that.

"True, every driver has his own driving style and you have to work with the team so that you feel comfortable with the package," Schumacher added. "I achieved that with Ferrari. But that doesn't happen overnight. It is no secret that at the moment our car has characteristics that don't suit me. Now it is up to us to change that. Then the situation will be different."

When asked why he returned to Formula One, the seven-time champion said: "Because I enjoy what I'm doing and because I believe in being able to reach my goal - to win the title. I have to accept that it will take time. Of course we all in the team believed that we would be more competitive this season. Unfortunately that's not the case."

Bernie Ecclestone reckons Schumacher's performances have not been on a par with Rosberg's because there is a lot more motivation for the younger German to get results in a car that is off the pace.

"When people say that Nico Rosberg is faster than Michael I tell them Nico still has to prove himself," said the F1 CEO. "Not so Michael. For Nico fourth places are still important - not for Michael. Only winning is what counts for him. Whether he finishes fourth or 14th doesn't really matter for him…"

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