Schumacher hits back at critics

Ralf Schumacher has snapped back at his critics following a woeful start to the new Formula One season.

While team-mate Jarno Trulli has won four points from the last two races in an under-achieving Toyota, an off-the-pace Schumacher has taken just one, coming in the opening race in Australia.

That has led to criticism against Schumacher, who has blamed the car for his poor performances to date, even insisting new parts expected for the Spanish Grand Prix are unlikely to help.

Many believe it is a case of 'a bad workman blaming his tools', but a defiant Schumacher said: "I will answer on the track as soon as the car is competitive again.

"The best way to answer unjustified criticism is with good results.

"The season is still long, we have only completed three out of 17 races, and there will still be plenty of surprises.

"I believe that - just like last year - we will continue to improve throughout the course of the season."

There are those who feel his driving style is the cause of his own downfall, but the 31-year-old German retorted: "Some people just don't know enough about racing.

"No driver changes his style from one day to the next. It's about improving the car's set-up and reacting to the driver's needs.

"The Toyota team and I will work hard to achieve this.

"I can live with criticism, but I'm not interested in irrelevant comments."

However, his future is on the line as his current contract with Toyota expires at the end of this season.

Yet Schumacher's manager, Hans Mehr, is confident his man will be in Formula One next season - whether it is with Toyota or another team.

"We are in contact with the management all the time," said Mehr.

"However, we agreed with Toyota quite some time ago, that we would get together to talk about an extension towards the middle of the year.

"Ralf is one of the best Formula One drivers in the world. There is no need to worry about his future.

"If he wants to drive, there will always be a cockpit waiting for him."