As the 2010 season unwrapped for Mercedes GP (Part 1)
The return of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One at the start of the 2010 season was no doubt one of the biggest treats for anyone who takes keen interest in the sport and its rich history. Since the 1950s, the glory and triumph of the
group has not only thrilled all auto-race lovers but has also left an unmatched and lasting legacy.
As the grid of the 2010 season started to prepare, the new custodians of the legendary brand came up with all the perfect ingredients for a magnificent treat for the race followers. The German manufacturer teamed up with 2009’s
double title-winning Brawn GP team, and to add the final cherry to the cake the seven times world champion, Michael Schumacher was brought back to the sport. After having spent three years off the track, the German driver replaced the winner of the 2009 season,
Jensen Button, pairing up with the junior German driver, Nico Rosberg.
The hype and fanfare for the perfect blend heaped up even before the start of the season. Under the leadership of one of the biggest gurus of the Formula One world, Ross Brawn wonders were expected on the track by the team. However,
the fourth place finish in the Constructors’ Championship and, not even a single race win all through the 19 races of the calendar was a big disappointment for all the fans of the legendary brand.
Brawn started off the season with the trail of a fairytale achievement behind him. In 2009, his Brawn GP team gave its debut season on the track, starting off from scratch. He bought the team from Honda, that had already shed a
significant number of staff and the designing of next season’s car seemed too tough a task. However the team was still able to win six out of the first seven races of the season and surprised everyone after winning both championships right after their very
first season, at the most prestigious racing series of the world.
On the contrary, the 2010 season started amidst a lot of success and hopes. The biggest and most successful names of Formula One were all together under one umbrella. Yet, nothing went the way it was expected.
The season opener, the Bahrain GP, saw the team struggling for pace as it stayed behind Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren. By the end of the day, the team drivers, Schumacher and his countryman Rosberg were seen only in sixth and fifth
place respectively.
Well, not to forget, this season was also the first one for Rosberg in the squad and his arrival from Williams was not received with a lot of fanfare. Things also did not seem very bright for him as he was paired with, statistically
the most successful racer ever in Formula One, Schumacher. It was commonly believed that the year will only see the young lad overshadowed by the looming presence of Schumacher. However, as the season kept unfolding, things were seen to go vice versa.
The following race in Australia saw Rosberg seize fifth place once again while conversely Schumacher, famous as the ‘rain master’, shocked his fans as he parked his car merely in 10th.
The next round in China gave a ray of hope to the German squad and a new kind of image to Rosberg, who was hardly welcomed by the Mercedes GP fans at the start of the season. However, Rosberg’s neat driving in China, gave him a
brilliant third place and the first podium of the season to the team. This time again a lot of disappointment came from his teammate as he retired from the race.
Contd. in part 2
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