Michael Schumacher has demanded "explanations" as to why team-mate Nico Rosberg consistently out-scored him over the 2010 campaign.

The seven-time world champion returned to F1 for the 2010 campaign after retiring from the sport in 2006 but failed to match his previous successes and finished the season ninth in the drivers' standings.

Rosberg finished seventh and Schumacher feels his car suffered technical difficulties that did not affect his team-mate, and the veteran German has now called on Mercedes to offer an explanation as to why his car did not perform as well as Rosberg's.

He said: "The fastest driver is a reference for the other one.

"You see the data of how he drives, but it didn't work quite so well in the other car. Looking back, there were a few things (wrong) with my car."

Schumacher insists he has no problem with Rosberg but revealed he had already spoken about the issues over his car with Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn and motorsport chief Norbert Haug.

He added: "I had no problems with Nico, but I told Norbert and Ross that it was time to find explanations."

However, the 41-year-old was also quick to thank the team for their efforts over the course of the 2010 season and Schumacher has vowed to come back stronger in the next campaign.

"We are clearly improving thanks to the enormous commitment of Mercedes," he said. "We're making a huge step forward and, if all goes well, we will win races."

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