Michael Schumacher: Mercedes GP has a long way to go… (Part 1)
After initially experiencing a tough 2010 Formula One season, the seven time world champion, Michael Schumacher is finally happy with the way the season is wrapping up for him. Last month had been the best one for the racer since his coming back to the sport
earlier this year, after a gap of three years.
The Japanese Grand Prix at the start of October saw him at 6th place, which marked his best finish of the season till then. Later, the Korean Grand Prix, held two weeks back, witnessed him end as high as 4th
place, the best finish by the driver all through the season so far.
Well, despite the fact that this 4th place finish was a great treat for the fans of the racer yet everyone knows that had it been a few years back, he would have been seen straight on the podium. The tough rainy conditions seen last week had always
been the strength of the racing icon. During his earlier career, he proved to be a master of rainy tracks.
Still, his finish was encouraging not only for the fans of the racer but also for his team. The strong–minded driver, despite having a rough and struggling 2010 season, is adamant to continue racing next year as well. At the start of this season, he had
signed a contract for three years with Mercedes GP, the team that won both the Drivers’ as well as Constructors’ Championships last year under the title of Brawn GP.
After his poor performances all through the season and being heavily criticized, it was reckoned that the racer would call off the contract and leave the sport earlier than anticipated. But, Michael Schumacher dismissed all such fears, declaring that he
would stay and prove his potential once again while also complete the 3-year contract term.
Now, as the season takes its final twists and turns, the reporters talked to the German star, asking him about his aspirations and goals for the last two races of the season. He answered telling that all that the team is now looking for is to maximize the
potential of their Mercedes car. He believes that the team is still a young one and has undergone lots of changes while they just need a little time to mature up.
The 41 year old said, “Never forget we are a young team, and a small team in a way. So to get all this infrastructure working in the most efficient way is something we're focusing on and developing race-by-race. For me, I'm getting more and more into all
the little details. Yes, I have a lot of experience but I've been out for three years and things change. With time, I'll pick up more and more parts of the puzzle which make up the whole picture.”
Earlier, as the 2010 season had started, there were lots of expectations from the team. The fact that it had bagged both the championships last year and then the signing of the racing legend increased the hype and fanfare. But, neither the team nor Schumacher
was able to deliver what was expected of them.
Commenting on it, the driver stated, “I think everybody expected this [that the team would improve], including myself. Particularly when you think last year where the team had been, and Mercedes and myself joining. But also with me being away for three years,
Mercedes and Brawn joining a new partnership, it means there are a lot of new components that have to grow together.” He explained that things have changed immensely since his leave and then return to the sport.
(To be continued in Part 2)
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