Brawn: No rush on Schumi decision

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn is adamant neither he nor Michael Schumacher will be rushed on making a decision on the future of the seven-times Formula One world champion.

Approaching the end of a three-season contract with Mercedes, it is expected the 43-year-old will remain with the German manufacturing giant for one more campaign. That is despite enduring another difficult year beset with bad luck, as Schumacher has retired in six of the 11 races, amassing just 29 points.

Although they have time on their side at present to get a new deal done, given the sport is in the middle of a month-long summer break, Brawn maintains there is no hurry, saying: "This is a very important decision for all the people involved. We won't be rushed on the decision."

He added: "When the time is appropriate we will announce what we are going to do. I don't want to increase speculation by commenting on where we are."

Outlining what Schumacher and team-mate Nico Rosberg bring to the Brackley-based team, Brawn added: "(They are) very professional, very committed, good attitude, speed.

"They work very well in the team, work well together as a pairing, which is not always easy with drivers. I believe both are more than capable of winning races if we provide the equipment. That is all that you can ask from a driver."

After Rosberg's victory in China and second place in Monaco, along with Schumacher's third place in Valencia - his first podium since stepping out of retirement - Mercedes went off the boil in the three races before the break.

Brawn, however, is adamant his team's season is far from over, even though they are fifth in the constructors' championship, 140 points behind leaders Red Bull and 83 adrift of fourth-placed Ferrari.

Speaking to formula1.com, Brawn said: "We haven't got the car quite as we wanted right now. But we have a very good team, very good people, so I am optimistic we are going to have a stronger second half to the season than the first half.

"I want to do better. P5 is not our ambition and we will do anything possible to end better. There are still a lot of races to come with many more points to be won."