Brawn praises Mercedes progress
Though Mercedes has endured a difficult year on the Formula One circuit, Team Principal Ross Brawn remains confident that the team will deliver in 2011 with a better-equipped vehicle that can compete against
the likes of the Red Bulls and McLarens.
Mercedes are currently fourth in the constructor’s championship, with driver’s Nico Rosberg in seventh and Michael Schumacher in ninth. Despite the remarkable abilities of both drivers – with Rosberg a
promising young talent and Schumacher a seven-time world champion – the team has been unable to score a victory this season, and the car continues to experience a series of technical issues. Yet Ross Brawn is adamant that the next model, the W01, can deliver
the performance worthy of Mercedes’ driving talent next season.
“I've said before, cars are born 12 months before they are raced, and when this car [the W01] was born we had our focus on lots of things [such as] survival of the company, [and] we were trying to win
the championship [but] didn't focus enough on it,” Brawn reflected. “However, that is not the balance we will strike for next year. Our new car is well-advanced and I can see lots of areas where we are making progress in. So I think I understand the reasons
why we are where we are, and I know the things we have to do to be in a better position for next year. We will see.”
Having won championships at the helm of legendary F1 teams such as Ferrari and Brawn GP, the 55-year-old has the experience to deal with the issues as they come and to deal with them professionally. His
next concern is the introduction of the new Pirelli tyres which will be the sole tyre used next season, and he is curious about how Schumacher will adjust to their composition after his run with the Bridgestones.
"We have a pretty powerful tyre group and we are working closely with Daimler and their experts in how we can improve that side. I think with the Pirelli tyres it will be interesting how that suits Michael
next year. We are not designing the car around Michael, we are trying to design a good race car and improve all the things that are weak with this car.”
He added, “We are not building in any characteristics, but we may find with the tyres that they will influence the characteristics of the car considerably. The power of the front tyres, the way the tyres
behave, the responsiveness of the car – it will be more related to the tyres than perhaps the car.”
Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug agrees that Mercedes is finally heading down the right track, and echoes Brawn's sentiments.
“I am absolutely convinced that with hard work and dedication we will achieve our targets. We are both working together and that is where we are. We are going to be better next year, that is for sure.”
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