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Schumacher seeks Mercedes patience

Mercedes has been unable to challenge the dominant Red Bull so far this season © Sutton Images

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Michael Schumacher has said that Mercedes need time to become a race-winning team, and that it is unlikely to happen before next season.

Mercedes purchased the championship-winning Brawn team in 2009 and signed Schumacher alongside Nico Rosberg to attempt to follow up on that success. The team failed to win a race last year, however, finishing on the podium three times. Hopes were high again for 2011 but after being off the pace of McLaren and Red Bull in the opening six races, thoughts are already turning to 2012.

Schumacher said that Mercedes hadn't given up on the 2011 car, but had to eradicate any issues to make sure they were not carried over to next year.

"We're working on it," Schumacher said. "And everything that we put in now could be very important for next year. We are losing time with the problems we have while the others make progress. So we have to solve it this year or we will drag them (the problems) into next season."

Schumacher also asked for patience, highlighting Red Bull as an example of how long it can take to reach the top in Formula One.

"We are in the process of building something new. I am sure that Ross and I know how things are built internally and the approach of this team is in the right direction. It takes time. Red Bull needed four or five years. With Ferrari that period lasted for five years. We can not play with some magic and do it in half a year."

Rosberg agreed that race victories were going to be hard to come by in 2011, but said the season should not be written off and that Mercedes would be working to close the gap to the front.

"It will be difficult to be on top this year," Rosberg is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport. "Our aim must therefore be to get closer."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.