Mercedes GP ready to regain its lost glory
After having a low and lulled 2010 season, the Brackley based team, Mercedes GP is expected to make a very strong come back in the 2011 season.
The team has undergone several changes in the past two years ranging from its title to its drivers’ line up and even its strategy. However, what remains the same as ever is its team boss, Ross Brawn and the unbeatable determination
of the entire crew.
Brawn bought the team at the end of 2008, while it was running under the title of Honda Racing F1 Team. Renamed as ‘Brawn GP’, and being run by its new team boss Ross Brawn, the team had a record season of winning both the Drivers’
as well as the Constructors’ titles right in their first season in Formula One. With two very talented drivers, Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button, the team bagged seven race wins. Button conquered 6 out of the first 7 races, while Barichello was able to
win two, the European and the Italian Grand Prix. With 95 points for the Briton and 77 for the Brazilian, the team conquered the Constructors’ standings, with a total of 172 points.
However, as the squad entered the 2010 season, under the title of Mercedes GP, it failed to keep the same pace. The start of the season saw all the necessary ingredients put together, just the right way, but still it did not produce
the expected results. Having a combination of the most prestigious name in the auto sport world, Mercedes-Benz, the experience of Brawn, the youthful energy of Nico Rosberg and above all the magical driving skills of the 7 times world champion, Michael Schumacher,
the expectation of the fans were immense. Yet, it was not very late in the season that the fans lost hope of seeing anything as expected from the new squad.
It was widely believed that in the chase for both the championships in 2010, Brawn GP started off preparations very late and hence was not able to come up to the mark this season. As the season started unwinding, other teams like
Red Bull and McLaren were quick to gain speed and soon Ferrari also joined them, but the Mercedes GP car kept struggling behind the top three outfits.
Moreover, one of the biggest names in Formula One, Michael Schumacher, was also not able to show a glimpse of his old form, disappointing all his fans badly. One poor race after the other not only surprised and frustrated his fans
but also, his team soon lost hope of seeing the racing icon shine on the track.
Failing to bag any race win or even a podium all through the season, the German blamed his car for having several technical issues and also for not suiting his driving style. On the other hand, his teammate, Nico Rosberg did far
better than him, ending most of the races ahead of him, yet, the young driver was also not able to win any of the races. With Schumacher’s 72 points and his teammates’ 142, the team finally ended the 2010 season in 4th place in the Constructors’
charts.
Nevertheless, Brawn has been wise enough to stop the development of its 2010 car quite early and shifted all his attention to the 2011 package. With the immense time and resources spent on its next car, and with two very determined
drivers, it is believed that Mercedes GP is going to return for the 2011 season with a whole new force, and will be one of the strongest teams on the track next season.
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