Jan.25 (GMM) Michael Schumacher's inability to work in a driver simulator hindered his preparation for grands prix in 2010.

That is the claim of a source close to the Mercedes driver, who told the Dutch website f1today.nl that Schumacher does not spend time in simulators because ever since a motorcycle fall in 2009 they have caused him to suffer from motion sickness.

On the other hand, the 42-year-old's teammate Nico Rosberg - who scored 70 more points than his famous cohort last season - is reportedly renowned for the time he has spent in simulators during his career.

"Nico spends a lot of time in the simulator preparing the car for the grand prix weekends," said the Mercedes source.

The source added that while Rosberg's setup work is "largely done" by the time of the first session on Friday morning, "Michael begins with a basic setting".

"This is one of quite a few very good reasons why Schumacher was sometimes at a disadvantage to Rosberg," added the source.

However, late last year Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn said he thinks Schumacher would have been more competitive in 2010 if Mercedes had a truly "top" driver simulator.

He said a new simulator is "currently under construction" at Brackley, but "it won't be fully operational before 2012".

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