Pirelli boss Paul Hembery terms Michael Schumacher favourite for European GP – Formula 1 news
Pirelli motorsport boss, Paul Hembery considers Michael Schumacher of Mercedes the most favourite contender for 2012 European Grand Prix which is to be held at Valencia Street Circuit in Spain on June 24.
Hembery said that Schumacher who topped the timesheets in the qualifying of Monaco GP at Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo will undoubtedly be coming up stronger in the approaching race.
“I think you have to look at someone like, maybe Michael getting the pole position,” he said. “He probably would have won Monaco if he hadn't been penalised, so why not there? Michael for Valencia, that's where money needs to go. We know Valencia is tough
track to create an exciting race. It's hard to overtake and it's got elements of Monaco from that point of view. There will be some high temperatures, of course, we're going there with the soft and medium tyre, so we should have less degradation. You've got
to really get a good qualifying in Valencia.”
The seven-time world champion has been seen struggling with finding the pace during the races and he has only been able to score 2 points in the season so far.
In the season opener held at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, he faced problem with the gearbox. Later, in the third race at Shanghai International Circuit in China, his tyre was improperly fitted during the pit stop.
Furthermore, in the fourth race at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, his DRS failed to function. Afterwards, in the sixth race at Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo, he retired due to fuel pressure failure.
Above and beyond, in the seventh race at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, he faced hydraulics issue which caused him to retire.
It will be important to mention that the veteran German driver has delivered some remarkable performances in the qualifying of several grands prix. However, he could not be able to convert his competitive grid positions into a podium finish in any of the
race.
Nevertheless, he has expressed that he is not feeling upset and is positively looking forward to perform well in the upcoming race.
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