Mercedes confident Michael Schumacher will shine

Rosberg has out-qualified and beaten Schumacher in each of the first three races


Michael Schumacher's Formula 1 rivals would be "foolish" to write off the seven-time world champion, Mercedes GP chief Nick Fry has warned.

Fry is convinced Mercedes can build on Nico Rosberg's third-place finish in Malaysia and expects the German team-mates to challenge for more podiums.

"We've got an extremely strong team and anyone who underestimates us is fairly foolish," Fry told autosport.com.

"Every race Michael is learning a bit more and it is all coming together."

Schumacher returned to F1 this season after a three-year break but has only collected nine points from the opening three grands prix and is trailing leader Felipe Massa by 30 points.

And 41-year-old Schumacher, who suffered the team's first retirement in Malaysia after losing a wheel nut, has also been out-qualified and beaten in each of the three races by Rosberg.

But despite being slightly off the pace in the early grands prix, Fry hailed the impact his veteran driver has had on the team.

"Michael is, for me, quite remarkable," said Fry.

The level of feedback he gives is something that I have never seen before, and is just not in the debriefs.

"When you have the headphones on you hear amazing things. In qualifying he was driving around almost giving a commentary.

"He has taken the disappointment of what happened in Malaysia very well.

Schumacher has no doubts over F1 return

"He has taken away the positives again. I would not underestimate him."

The Mercedes team has so far struggled for pace in comparison to Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari, each of whom has a win under their belt.

However, Rosberg's finish in Malaysia was the team's first podium after three races in 2010.

And Fry is adamant the team, which won six of the first seven races in its guise as Brawn GP last season, will be competitive.

"We've got excellent people. I would say we still have the best technical leader in Ross [Brawn], we have the best manufacturer and engine provider in F1, and we have two phenomenal drivers," explained Fry.

"All of that means that we are going to be strong, and we have the tools in terms of the money to do a very good job.

"I am very optimistic. We will be strong this year. Whether we can win it, who knows, but I think we will be there or thereabout."