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'Schumi cheated' - ex-team mate

Michael Schumacher's 1994 team mate has accused the F1 veteran of winning his first World championship with the help of illegal electronic aids.

Jos Verstappen claims that while the Benetton he raced almost two decades ago conformed to the rules, the car driven to the title by Schumacher was fitted with secret systems.

Verstappen said: "I know what happened when we were together at Benetton. People think I'm looking for excuses but I know that his car was different to mine.

"I always thought it was impossible; I braked at the limit and took the corners as hard as possible, so how could Schumacher do it?  There was something wrong," he said.

'HE'S NOT SUPERMAN'

Verstappen added: "There were electronic driver aids.  It was never mentioned but I'm convinced and when I later asked Flavio Briatore he replied 'Let's not talk about it'.  So I know enough now. Like everybody else, Michael depends on his car. For most people he was a god but he is not Superman. In a kart, he never beat me."

Meanwhile Schumacher's Mercedes current team mate Nico Rosberg has accused the multiple World champion of being a sore loser - "but not as bad as the media make him out to be".

Rosberg said: "Obviously he doesn't like being beaten but it doesn't last long. He's not a bastard, as some people say, when I ask him a question - he doesn't lie to me. You can work with him and that was a nice surprise after what I had heard."

Rosberg consistently out-qualified Schumacher in 2011 to finish the season 13 points ahead.

However, Rosberg has been less than impressed with Mercedes.

"I've stayed because I'm convinced the situation will change," he explained. "I thought I'd win some races and get a few podiums but that didn't happen. We were never in a position to challenge the top three teams."
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