Schumacher confident on 2011 chances

Michael Schumacher is adamant that his Mercedes GP team is moving in the right direction to become title contenders again next year

The team, which won both titles under the Brawn GP name last year, has struggled to fight near the top this year, having managed just three podium places so far.

Schumacher's best results have been a couple of four-place finishes.

Despite the difficult season, however, the seven-time champion is optimistic that the team is moving in the right direction to return to winning ways in 2011.

"The fact is that I feel comfortable in the situation and I believe that we are moving in the right direction to ensure that next year we will be real contenders," Schumacher said in an interview with sponsor DVAG.

"The teamwork, with the engineers and with Nico Rosberg is going very well. The car we currently have is almost a 'survivor' from last year, which had already been shaped, moulded and developed for us and we as drivers have had to make compromises accordingly."

The German, who has been overshadowed by team-mate Rosberg, added that this year's car is not working "in harmony" with the tyres.

"The fact is that the car is not functioning in harmony, neither with the tyres nor with the drivers and obviously we must invest all the time we have in ensuring this is not the case next year," he said.