Schumacher not expecting race progress

The seven times champion managed only ninth on the grid in qualifying at Shanghai, having found it hard to get a balance that suited him this weekend.

"We're struggling a little bit on that all weekend, and due to the fact that we can't change set-ups between now and the race, it's going to be difficult and I'm just going to have to live with it," said Schumacher.

"Next race is a different story, so we have to analyse why this is the case and see what are the steps needed.

"Basically it's mostly at the exit of slow corners. I just can't get out of those all weekend long. We're looking at all the data to try to understand that."

Schumacher was 0.7 seconds slower than team-mate Nico Rosberg, who qualified fourth, and admitted that the younger German was simply doing a better job at present.

"The fact is that Nico has been doing a great job all weekend," said Schumacher. "Quite honestly our set-ups are pretty much identical. That's why we're looking at why I'm struggling with what I'm struggling with."

He added that his only hope of a good result tomorrow might be for rain to disrupt the race.

"It's natural from the position that I am in, because overtaking is very difficult in normal situations, you wish for a different circumstances," Schumacher said. "And rain would definitely be one that could help. Overtaking can work quite well [in the wet].

"I hope to make a good start and then see how the race develops - and rain at the right moment could be welcome."