Daimler chief Zetsche backs Schumacher return

Michael Schumacher has received the full backing of Mercedes’ top brass Dieter Zetsche.

Zetsche, the chairman of the German carmaker’s parent Daimler, was responding to renewed calls for 42-year-old Schumacher to return to retirement after disappointing performances since he returned to F1 last year.

But the seven time world champion had a better weekend in Monaco, where he won five times in his initial career, and Zetsche said Schumacher still has time to show he is in top form.

"Last year we gave him a bad car," Zetsche told Bild newspaper. "So it was difficult for him to come back like that and prove himself again.

"I think we will see some positive surprises this year," he added.