Niki Lauda feels Michael Schumacher will require one more grand prix before he is up to speed on his Formula One comeback.

Lauda knows exactly what is required to win a championship after a spell spent in retirement, so can fully appreciate what Schumacher is currently going through.

The Austrian took two years out before returning to win the third of his three world titles, albeit not until the third year of his comeback.

Although many were expecting Schumacher to be immediately back on the pace in the season-opening race in Bahrain, the seven-times king trailed Mercedes GP team-mate Nico Rosberg in practice, qualifying and the race.

Despite that, Lauda believes the 41-year-old Schumacher produced "a perfect performance," adding: "You can hardly start any better."

Lauda reckons Schumacher will shake off more ring rust this weekend in Australia before then proving himself the following Sunday in Malaysia.

"He ran very little over the winter due to test restrictions, and got into a modified car he had never driven before," assessed Lauda.

"So it was simply impossible for him to clock a qualification lap at the push of a button.

"I suppose he needs about three races to get back up to the same level he was at.

"When you take all that into account, he did a superb qualification lap, even compared to Nico who was only three-tenths faster.

"My guess is that in Kuala Lumpur he will have regained the ability to switch on for a fast lap that every permanent driver has to have."

It is another German in Sebastian Vettel who caught the eye of Lauda, who insists the 22-year-old should be upbeat going into this weekend's Australian Grand Prix despite his travails in Bahrain.

Vettel dominated qualifying and was on course for a comfortable win until a faulty spark plug in his Red Bull relegated him to fourth by the end of the race.

"He should keep at the level he was at in Bahrain," added Lauda.

"He is the fastest car-driver combination at the moment, and even if he didn't win, he can head to Australia quite satisfied.

"Up until his car troubles he had dominated the race very clearly. Nobody behind him had the slightest chance of catching up."