Formula One: A poor simulator follows Mercedes GP once again
Mercedes GP comes up with another good reason to defend its driver Michael Schumacher for his poor 2010 performance. The team’s boss, Ross Brawn announced last week that one of the major reasons for the driver’s poor performance was the lack of a top Formula
One simulator in the team.
Brawn said that in addition to several other factors that kept Schumacher from giving a great performance last year the non-availability of a great simulator also played a vital role. All through the season, the not very compatible car of the team, served
as a big excuse for Schumacher. Also, the fact that he was not very compatible with the Bridgestone tyres was highlighted by the team, which thinks that now the new Pirelli tyres will help him show wonders on the track once again.
While explaining the situation to the media, Brawn said, "He would have been able to work much more on the behaviour of the tyres. That we don't have a top simulator was certainly not a help. We should make a big step with it over the winter. This technology
can't be bought on the market."
Although, the team boss accepts the fact that the simulator kept the team from coming back to the top but at the same time he also admits that the same problem may be faced the upcoming year too. The team is still working on the construction of its 2011
simulator and fears that it might not be ready before the end of next year also. However, besides the disappointment, the team is looking forward for a stronger 2011 season and hopes that both, the new car as well as the switch from Bridgestone to Pirelli
tyres, will help the seven times world champion show the same wonders once again on the track.
Brawn continued to explain, "They are different tyres. When there was the change from Michelin to Bridgestone a few years ago, many drivers had problems, including top guys like [Fernando] Alonso. The change to Pirelli will be similar and whether it
plays into the hands of [Nico] Rosberg or Schumacher is difficult to predict."
The 2010 season has been a very low and depressing one for the team. Only a year back, at the end of 2009, the team bagged both the drivers’ as well as the constructors’ championship under the title of Brawn GP. However, as the 2010 season started, unlike
last year, the team was uncompetitive right from the beginning. The team’s entry into 2010 was much hyped not only because of being the double title winner but also because of its tie with (statistically) the best racer ever in the sport, Schumacher. However,
neither the team was able to give a very aggressive car to the driver, nor was the driver able to get the best out of what he got.
Moreover, the team boss, Brawn very early this season, realised that both the titles are already out of the team’s reach, and hence, decided to shift all the time and resources of the Mercedes GP factory, towards its 2011 car. Being one of the first teams
to have started working on the next year’s package, the expectations from Mercedes GP are immense.
Also, the disappointing return of Schumacher, at the start of this season, after having stayed away from the track for a period of three years, is expected to sooth next year. Although many advised the driver not to spoil his legacy anymore, and to retire
now, once for all yet, he is not only reluctant to stay but also to prove himself, with or without a great simulator.
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