MERCEDES team boss Ross Brawn has exonerated Michael Schumacher of any blame for the spate of retirements which have wrecked his season.
For the fifth time in seven races on Sunday Schumacher failed to see the chequered flag, raising further questions as to whether this will be his last campaign before retiring for a second time.
In the Canadian Grand Prix, a hydraulics issue left his DRS wing, used for overtaking, in an open position, resulting in his fourth mechanical retirement this year.
Brawn, however, maintains the onus is on the Brackley-based team to provide the seven-times champion with a reliable car worthy of his talents.
“Both cars are designed and built to exactly the same standards, according to the same processes,” said Brawn.
“Our target is always zero-defect reliability and we are not achieving that at the moment, which is compromising our championship position and our chances in the races.
“Resolving it is our highest priority.”
Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Brawn added: “This has absolutely nothing to do with Michael - it is entirely on our plate.
“We will strip the car to identify the failure, and we will implement countermeasures.
“The only response can be one of logical engineering and hard work, to ensure there is no repeat.”