Pressure on Schumacher to return

Michael Schumacher is under pressure to make a swift return to the Ferrari cockpit following a poor display by the team in Hungary

The double world champion, recovering from a broken leg at his home in Switzerland, is stepping up his fitness programme to return to action as soon as possible.

The German, who was injured following a high-speed shunt in the British Grand Prix, knows the Italian team urgently need him to bolster its chances of winning the drives' and constructors' championships.

Ferrari's title hopes suffered a setback at the Hungarian GP with Eddie Irvine being outshone by McLaren rivals Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard.

Irvine, who criticised Schumacher last week for making too many mistakes this year, cracked under pressure from Coulthard in the closing stages and went off the track, conceding second place.

The Ulsterman slid off the track while under pressure from Coulthard.

Irvine, who won the previous two races, had recently criticised Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard.

After the race, Coulthard milked the occasion, saying, 'I don't think that Mika Salo is that much slower than Eddie who obviously caved in under my immense pressure!'

Meanwhile, Schumacher's deputy Mika Salo had a torrid time in the second Ferrari, eventually finishing 12th.

The Finn ended the race two laps down on Hakkinen, after qualifying 18th.

He described his performance as 'terrible' and 'embarrassing'.