Mercedes pledges to sort Michael Schumacher's problems after Monaco retirement

Schumacher was fastest in Monaco qualifying on Saturday but started only sixth due a penalty for taking Bruno Senna out of the Spanish Grand Prix.

His race was marred by a first-corner clash with Romain Grosjean's Lotus, and he was only running seventh when a fuel pick-up problem forced him to retire.

Schumacher's latest issue follows a gearbox failure in Australia, a loose wheel in China and a DRS problem in Bahrain qualifying.

Combined with incidents in Malaysia and Spain, those dramas have meant Schumacher has only scored two points so far this season, while his team-mate Nico Rosberg is fifth in the championship on 59 points, having won in China and finished a close second in Monaco.

Brawn admitted that Schumacher deserved better.

"It was very disappointing because he put in a great performance this weekend and he was still on course to score useful points," said Brawn.

"We need to make sure we eliminate the problems for him, starting in Canada."

Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug said Monaco had at least proved that Schumacher was quick enough to win again when his luck turns.

"It was a pity for Michael: he clearly demonstrated this weekend that he has the speed to win races but his time will come again, like yesterday when he posted the pole position time," said Haug.

Schumacher agreed that the Monaco weekend was a confidence boost despite its disappointing end.

"What can I say? It was simply a pity to end the race in this way," he said.

"In any case, the fuel pressure problem had nothing to do with the incident at the start. But it made it doubly disappointing because I had secretly been hoping for a podium finish today.

"I will take the boost from the high points of this weekend with me to Canada. The track should suit us and I'm hoping to have a normal, clean race."