Mercedes GP optimistic about new package for 2011 Formula 1 season – Formula 1 news
Formula 1 team Mercedes GP are optimistic that the new upgrades for the MGP-W02 car that will be introduced for the last two days of Barcelona test session will help them achieve their targets in the 2011 season.
The team expected good results from the new features, including a new front wing, adjusted brake ducts and fine bargeboards for the 2011 season. The team plans to arrive with the upgrade package in Barcelona on March 10, 2011 which will be evaluated by Michael
Schumacher in the Friday test session.
Mercedes have already used the new exhaust system and learnt all the new setups of their 2011 car over the sessions. Regarding their car performance during the testing, the team is confident ahead of their upgrade package as they face their fair share of
reliability.
On the other hand, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher still thinks his car is not ready to take on Red Bull Racing to compete for a win on pure pace.
In the previous test sessions, Mercedes GP’s progress was good. However, the German admitted that Red Bull were declared very strong and competitive team of test sessions.
He went on to say, “At the moment I guess we're not quite in this position, but I wasn't expecting to be in this position right now. The season is long and there is a big question mark as to who is coming behind, and I hope we play a sufficient role in that.”
Other than Schumacher, the team boss Ross Brawn accepted that it is still difficult to predict the other teams performances in the upcoming season.
He further said, “We felt we have been a bit behind and the improvements we are introducing should put us in a competitive position, but you never know what the other teams are going to do, or what steps they have made.”
In their early outing, the team set a plan to focus on the reliability of 2011 car. The team got good results from the beginning of testing as the new MGP-W02 managed the quickest lap times.
Brawn said about the early season rivals, “Red Bull has clearly gone into this year in quite a strong position and that is who I anticipate will be our reference point in the early point of the season – that is who we have to beat to win races.”
Let’s see how the Petronas-sponsored team fares in the upcoming 2011 Formula 1 season which gets underway on March 27, 2011 in Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Australia.
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