( CNN ) -- Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn believes Michael Schumacher can show improvement when the Formula One circuit moves to China next week . The seven-time world champion has struggled to challenge for a podium place in three races since returning to motorsport 's elite class , and has been outperformed by young teammate Nico Rosberg . But Brawn , whose team won the world title last year after a scintillating start to the campaign , believes that the 41-year-old Schumacher has suffered from problems not within his control . While Rosberg claimed third place in Malaysia , Schumacher was forced to retire with a wheel nut problem . `` Achieving our first podium of the season with Nico was very rewarding in Malaysia at the home race of our title partner Petronas and a timely boost for the team , '' Brawn told F1 's official Web site . `` Michael also had a strong weekend and is getting more up to speed with every race , although circumstances beyond his control limited his race performance in Melbourne and Sepang . `` We hope to continue these signs of improvement in China and it would be particularly good for Michael to be able to have a clean race and show the progress that he has made since the start of the season . `` I am very pleased with the performance of our drivers . We 've achieved a reasonable set of results which are in line with the car 's current pace , but we have to be realistic and acknowledge that we are not quick enough to compete right at the front at the moment . This is obviously not a situation that we are happy with and we are working as hard as possible to close the gap . '' Schumacher is 10th in the drivers ' standings after finishing sixth and 10th in the first two races , while fellow German Rosberg is fifth -- four points behind overall leader Felipe Massa of Ferrari . `` The enthusiasm for Mercedes-Benz and the support of the fans is very big in China so we have an attractive race ahead of us in Shanghai next weekend , Schumacher said . `` I am confident that the fans will not leave the race disappointed . We looked quite reasonable in Malaysia at the last race and maybe things will play into our hands again in Shanghai . I am looking forward to the race and fully enjoying the competition again . `` Admittedly the last two races have not been very fortunate for me , but I am very much aware of the reasons for it . I know how things go in F1 and if you look into the detail of the two races , I think everything is still going according to plan . You can only improve step by step , and I am confident that we are achieving this . ''
Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn says Michael Schumacher not to blame for problems . Seven-time world champion retired in third race of his F1 comeback in Malaysia . Brawn expects the 41-year-old to keep showing improvement in Chinese Grand Prix . The German driver has been plagued by reliability issues since returning from a broken leg suffered at last year's Australian GP.