There was a time during his earlier career in the top flight when Michael Schumacher's team-mates argued they were not being provided with exactly the same equipment as the record-breaking multiple F1 World Champion - but now it appears the Schu might be on the ot𝕴her foot, if you'll pardon the pun.

Schumacher has been denigrated on a number of occasions this season for his alarming lack of consistency from one race to the next, and prior to Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix - ironically, one of his best performances of a generally underwhelming comeback to-da♚te - the Mercedes Grand Prix star had lamented that the F-duct on his MGP W01 was not working the way that it should. After finishing a strong sixth at Suzuka, the German legend hinted that such issues are not an irregularity 🔥in his side of the pit garage.

"The car worked great this time," 'Schumi' told German broadcaster RTL post-race in Japan. "Unfortunately, I cannot say it has been that way at all the races. There have often been problems - especially on my car, in terms of the consistency - that were not always notice🍎d from the outside. You only saw that I was slower, [but] both cars have not always🌳 been the same."

Amidst recent rumours that his seat could be in danger in 2011 as the pressure mounts on employer Mercedes 💝to achieve solid on-track results, the 41-year-old went on to rubbish notions that the Brackley-based outfit's team principal - and his long-time ally - Ross Brawn has been openly critical of him of late.

"He didn't really criticise me," Schumacher told Sky. "He pointed out that compared to Nico [Rosberg - team-mate] I am a little bit behind, and he is probably right. I have aꦛlso criticised myself. I🐠 am still developing, even at 41!"

"I cannot disagree with Michael," concurred Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug, speaking to German newspaper Bild. "As far as the car is concerned, he is right."