Team boss turned TV pundit Eddie Jordan continues to stick the boot into Michael Schumacher, claiming that his return to F1 was a "huge error".

"Michael's return was an excellent thing for the discipline," he told Sport Bild, "but for him personally, it's a huge error.

"To make a comeback at 41 years of age, to pitch yourself against young men 20 years younger than you, is simply against the laws of physics and medicine," he added.

Fact is, Schumacher has struggled this season, as has his teammate, with a car that is widely seen as a bit of a dog. Furthermore, in the opinion of this website, the German was always on a hiding to nothing, doomed if he returned a winner, doomed if he returned a loser.

There are some who remain convinced that Brackley is cursed and has been ever since Craig Pollock and British American Racing entered the sport in 1999 determined to continue a "tradition of excellence".

For some reason, ever since the BAR-Supertec appeared in 1999, Brackley cars have struggled, especially in terms of Bridgestone rubber. While some will point to Brawn's success in 2009, let's not forget that once rival teams were on a slightly more level playing field it was the tyres that once again worked against the white cars from Brackley.

This year, Mercedes is clearly struggling and it's the same old problem, the team's failure to work with its Bridgestone boots, particularly at the rear.

If there is frustration at Brackley imagine what it's like in Stuttgart where Mercedes bosses are wondering what on earth they've got themselves into, what on earth happened to the winning team they bought at a far from knock-down price.

What money Stuttgart is willing to spend - and it is very little, surprising really when one considers the small fortunes made by the previous 'owners' - is watched very, very carefully, with the bean counters wanting every last nut and bolt accounted for before it is purchased. What hope serious development under those conditions?

In Germany, many were against the purchase of Brawn, especially the unions, and therefore the German manufacturer is under intense scrutiny. Nonetheless, our sources claim that, in the very best Japanese tradition, Mercedes does not want to lose face, and will therefore stick it out for 2011 in the hope that Pirelli rubber will bring a change in fortune... however, some fear that the curse of Brackley remains.

Schumacher too, despite the claims of some, will stick with it, at least for another year, not so much about saving face but because the German still has worthwhile input to provide, whatever his numerous critics might say.

However, while the anti-Schumacher bias of some might be understandable - especially in terms of the British media - Eddie Jordan's fortnightly bashing of the German is becoming tedious.

As Schumacher crosses the line in ninth, having struggled to hold off a Toro Rosso or Force India, the Irishman appears delighted, desperate to tell the viewers; "I told you so".