Michael Schumacher has had three difficult races this season © Sutton Images Enlarge Related Links Drivers:

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Mercedes CEO Nick Fry has defended Michael Schumacher after a slow start to the season has led to widespread criticism in the European press.

Schumacher has been outpaced by Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg at all three qualifying sessions and races this season, and Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport points out that the only other driver with a full 3-0 defeat in 2010 is the Renault's rookie Vitaly Petrov. The German daily Bild's latest headline is 'Der Schumi-Absturz' ('The Fall of Schumi'), with the article adding that Rosberg is now Mercedes' "new No. 1".

But Fry said Schumacher is working back up to full strength and said that his experience and input this year have been invaluable for the team.

"Every race he is learning a little bit more and it is all coming together slowly but surely, which is probably what you would expect," the Briton is quoted as saying by the Press Association. "I would not underestimate him. Michael is, for me, quite remarkable. The level of feedback he gives is something that I have never seen before, and is just not in the debriefs. When you have the headphones on you hear amazing things. In qualifying he was driving around almost giving a commentary. The FIA, who also listen, was also very impressed a driver can do that."