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Pressure increases on Schumacher

ESPNF1 Staff
October 7, 2010 « Appeal court reverses Force India sponsor ruling | »
Men under pressure: Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa chat as they arrive at Suzuka © Press Association
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German newspapers are reporting that Michael Schumacher will be given 2011 to prove he remains competitive in Formula One or his three-year contract with Mercedes will be ended early.

On the eve of the Japanese Grand Prix, Bild Zeitung wrote: "Bild knows: there is a deadline for Schumi. If he is still behind in 2011, then his Mercedes time is up, three year contract or not."

Team boss Ross Brawn is quoted as saying: "With Nico [Rosberg], I'm happy. Now we expect progress from Michael, who is not yet at his best. I would prefer if they regularly beat one another. It is not good when one driver is usually behind the other."

Rosberg has outqualified Schumacher at 12 of the 15 races so far this season.

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