Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher is confident that his former apprentice, Felipe Massa, will put the nightmare of Melbourne and Sepang behind him, possibly as early as this weekend in Bahrain, where he was race winner in 2007.

Having failed to score a point thus far this season, spinning out of an almost certain podium finish in Malaysia, there is speculation over the Brazilian's future at Ferrari, even though he is contracted to the Maranello outfit until 2010.

Speaking to Reuters, Schumacher said he is confident Massa will turn things around but warned that he must do it soon.

"He has zero points for the season, so it is not the best of starts," said the German. "He has played his jokers so far, and doesn't really have any more jokers to play. But things will turn around very quickly I think in his favour. He is certainly still very capable of winning the championship this year."

The Brazilian was teammate to the German in 2006, the seven-time champion's final season, previously, Massa had spent a season as test driver with the Italian outfit.

"Massa is very focused, knows what is going on and what he has to do," said Schumacher. "Pressure is normal in our world and I am certain he knows how to deal with it. He was quickest in Malaysia, and you must be very good to do this and he was a little unfortunate later on."

Looking ahead to this weekend, Schumacher said: "He was very strong in Bahrain last time, so there is no reason why he cannot do it again and win impressively.

"We have two great drivers," added the German, who won five titles with the Scuderia, "the best available in terms of the package. If Massa wins the championship at the end of the year, nobody will care or remember about the start of the season."