Former formula 1 driver Niki Lauda believes Michael Schumacher should retire from racing for good after his less than successful return to the sport.

Doubts over Schumacher’s future were raised when Italian paper Corriere dello Sport quoted him as saying he was considering stepping aside in order to allow his Mercedes team to grow, admitting that “if anything, I am the problem”.

“I arrived at Mercedes with a specific task: not winning at all costs but to grow the team,” the 42-year-old reportedly said.

“If anything, I am the problem: it is a fact that I am a bit more relaxed than before and I do not know if my mindset is right for this team.”

“At some point we will evaluate whether I continue or stop,” he added.

Doubts have been raised over the authenticity of the quotes, with the Italian paper removing the article from its website, while Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm insisted that the quotes attributed to her client were false.

“(Schumacher has said that he needs more time, blah, blah, blah, and he presents himself as a relaxed guy who really still enjoys it – but inside he is not relaxed because no top racer enjoys being defeated.” – Niki Lauda

“Michael has not spoken with anyone from the Corriere dello Sport.” She told German paper Bild.

Pressure has grown on Schumacher to deliver a race win for Mercedes since he returned to the sport in 2010. The 42-year-old has so far not only failed to win a race but has been regularly being out-qualified by team-mate Nico Rosberg as well as finishing behind him in seven of the eleven races so far this season.

Schumacher admitted earlier this season that the “big joy” was missing since his return, and having failed to live up to his illustrious reputation,  Lauda believes that it is time for Schumacher to step away from the sport for good.

“In the end you has to ask yourself, ‘Can I do it or not?’ and frankly I do not think it will work out for Michael now,” Lauda told motorsport magazin.

“If you want to be faster, you try everything – and if you’ve tried everything and you still cannot do it, then that is it.”

“One day he will realise that he cannot do it, and then he will make a decision.”

“He has said that he needs more time, blah, blah, blah, and he presents himself as a relaxed guy who really still enjoys it – but inside he is not relaxed because no top racer enjoys being defeated.” He added.

Schumacher finished his first season back in the sport in 9^th in the drivers standings last year and failed to make it on to the podium, while this season he sits in 10^th place, 16 points behind Rosberg in 7^th.

Lauda added that Schumacher’s performances last season were understandable as he adjusted to the cars, but believes that  there are no excuses for disappointing this time round.

“Last year we understood that he needed time to get used to these different cars. Plus the handicap of not being able to test and everything else I had the feeling that this year was his last chance to create a proper comeback and this year it’s the same as last year.” He commented.

Make sure you check out our  Tweeting Around The Circuit articles too as well as Back In The Day – Formula1fancast’s stroll down memory lane bringing you the best moments in F1′s history.

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