At Albert Park, Schumacher was forced to retire following a hit from Jaime Alguersuari, and team-mate Nico Rosberg was taken out of the race by Rubens Barrichello. However Schumacher, three times a winner in Malaysia, warns that the team should not be cast aside.

“There is absolutely no doubt we want to do better than in the opening race, which was a disappointment for all of us,” the German said on Friday afternoon.

“We clearly see that as a challenge and it is much too early to write us off. Everybody in the team remains positive and is in a fighting mood. So I expect a better weekend for us to come; a weekend we can build on.”