Jul.9 (GMM) Mercedes' debut of a Red Bull-like blown exhaust layout in Valencia recently "backfired", team chief executive Nick Fry has admitted.

The Brackley based team has struggled to move forwards with the W01 car this season, and the Briton said on Friday that the Valencia upgrade was a particular disappointment.

"We have tried to copy the Red Bull exhaust system in Valencia and that probably backfired, if you'll excuse the pun," Fry told the BBC at Silverstone.

"With the benefit of hindsight we maybe should have stuck with the setup we had previously."

Fry insisted, however, that the situation will not cause Michael Schumacher to abandon his return to formula one, even though the seven time world champion has admitted he will not win the 2010 title.

"Sorry to the other drivers, but he is going to be around for next season," said Fry.

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