Ailing Schumacher handed new car

Schumacher has struggled since his return (EPA)

Mercedes will switch Michael Schumacher's car for next week's Spanish Grand Prix to try and get the seven-times Formula One champion back up to speed, team principal Ross Brawn said yesterday.

"It's not a new chassis per se, it's a chassis we used in testing," said Brawn. "The one he had was damaged during the first few races and we repaired it as best we could. But now we are back at base we are going to re-introduce the test chassis."

Brawn said the wheelbase would also be changed to improve weight distribution, and Mercedes are also planning a major aerodynamic revamp.

Schumacher has been outqualified and beaten in all four races by team-mate Nico Rosberg. He finished 10th in the latest race in China while Rosberg was third after leading early on.