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Mercedes boss not blaming Schuey

Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn has exonerated Michael Schumacher of any blame for the spate of retirements which have wrecked his season.

For the fifth time in seven races on Sunday Schumacher failed to see the chequered flag, raising further questions as to whether this will be his last campaign before retiring for a second time.

In the Canadian Grand Prix, a hydraulics issue with his DRS wing, used for overtaking, in an open position, resulted in his fourth mechanical retirement this year.

Brawn, however, maintains the onus is on the team to provide the seven-times champion with a reliable car worthy of his talents.

“Both cars are designed and built to exactly the same standards, according to the same processes,” said Brawn.

“Our target is always zero-defect reliability and we are not achieving that, which is compromising our championship position and our chances in the races. Resolving it is our highest priority.”

Brawn added: “This has absolutely nothing to do with Michael – it is entirely on our plate.

“We will strip the car to identify the failure, and we will implement countermeasures.

“The only response can be one of logical engineering and hard work, to ensure there is no repeat.”

Schumacher is currently languishing in 18th in the championship, with just two points to his name, whilst in contrast team-mate Nico Rosberg is fifth and 21 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton.

A philosophical Schumacher, via his personal website, said: “I want to emphasise again Formula One cars are prototype vehicles and hundreds of components are made especially for them.

“For me, it’s completely understandable that things can go wrong from time to time.”

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