Michael Schumacher expects an upturn in Mercedes' form in German Grand Prix

The 43-year-old finished seventh at Silverstone after qualifying third in wet conditions, but is certain that the German Grand Prix venue will be better suited to the characteristics of the Mercedes F1 W03.

"The most difficult race we have behind us, which was Silverstone," said Schumacher. "Hockenheim will suit our car much more naturally. Obviously, I'm a lot more optimistic.

"If one or two of us could be on the podium, that will be great."

Team-mate Nico Rosberg insists that Mercedes' season has not gone off the rails and believes that if the team can extract the maximum from the car then results will improve.

The Chinese Grand Prix winner expects Mercedes to find it easier to manage the tyres at Hockenheim after he failed to score points at Silverstone.

"We haven't maximised what we had in the last few races and Silverstone didn't really suit our car," he said. "So it is maybe not the right picture.

"I still think we have a good car and I still think if conditions suit us and we get a grip on the tyres here in Hockenheim, which should suit our car a lot better, we should be able to do a much better result."