source: fia.com

By sessions
April 2 2011

After a disappointing start to the new season Mercedes will attempt to get good results in Malaysia.

Michael Schumacher has said that everyone at Mercedes Grand Prix remains very 'positive' and in a 'fighting mood', despite a bitterly disappointing start to F1 2011.

Schumacher and team-mate Nico Rosberg were both victims of other people's errors in Australia and were forced out before the halfway marker. However while it was a far from great start to the new season, Schumacher is hopeful that the second race of the year in Malaysia will be more fruitful.

“There is absolutely no doubt we want to do better [at Sepang] than in the opening race, which was a disappointment for all of us,” said the seven-time F1 world champion.

“We clearly see that as a challenge and it is much too early to write us off. Everybody in the team remains positive and is in a fighting mood. So I expect a better weekend for us to come; a weekend we can build on.”

Team principal Ross Brawn and Mercedes boss Norbert Haug meanwhile are similarly hoping for better and have confirmed that everything possible has been done to ensure the squad delivers at what is the home race for title sponsor, Petronas.

“Since the first race in Australia, we have worked hard in Brackley and Brixworth to analyse the reasons behind, and to solve, the reliability and performance problems which hampered our first race weekend of the season,” Haug stated. “Our target is to be in better shape in Malaysia.”

“We endured a difficult weekend at the first race of the season, despite having reasonable expectations after completing a successful testing programme in Barcelona,” Brawn continued.

“We suffered a number of problems which resulted in a far from optimum car for qualifying and the race, and then were unlucky to suffer a disappointing double retirement for Michael and Nico.

“Our priority since Melbourne has been to re-group back at our factories in Brackley and Brixworth, to review the weekend in detail, and to establish the best way to achieve the full potential of the car from Malaysia onwards.

“How we respond to the disappointment of Melbourne will be a true measure of our team."

Source: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Mercedes can have a weekend to built on in Malaysia

Discussion started by TotalMercedesGP.com - Mercedes GP New (IP Logged), 02/04/2011 02:02

TotalMercedesGP.com - Mercedes GP New
02/04/2011 02:02

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:04:25:18:59:16 by sessions.

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Timba7
04/04/2011 09:31

I am really hoping we bounce back.

...to 09 level

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In The Pits
04/04/2011 19:59

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:04:13:20:26:04 by In The Pits.

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Demented
05/04/2011 11:14

Whilst I wouldnt go as far as Pits and Herman in condeming the team to another lacklustre year, I am somewhat concerned that if I accept that what Ross is saying is correct, it's also true to say that several others underperformed and had problems so if MGP does get it's act together I am not convinced it would make much of a difference if say Williams also perform better as well.

I'm a glass half full man so I do expect MGP to up it's game, but my guess is that by the time it does it may well be to late to have any impact on this years championships, I hope I'm wrong I really do.

What gives me some hope is that testing did show the car has pace to fight near the front.
I don't hold with the times set being a load of BS as I really can't see why the team would do that, they have nothing to gain by raising expectations to unrealistic heights and everything to lose as is evident by Pits and Hermans understandable attack on the team.

As you know I'm not an MS hater and feel that both raise valid points but lose support by somehow making MS either entirely or partially responsible for the teams lack of pace.

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sessions
05/04/2011 16:25

Good post. Although, too much of the remainder of the season is still ahead of everyone, not just MGP. All the dismal calculations and only one race is behind us where both cars were taken out due contact. That leads me to believe there isn't enough evidence to form an opinion we're doomed.
I have my figures crossed not everything said by everyone in the article is BS.

sessions

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In The Pits
06/04/2011 11:58

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:04:13:20:28:20 by In The Pits.

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Demented
06/04/2011 16:32

Well it's certainly a possibility Pits, but I thought Petronas had signed a 5 year deal at the beginning of 2010 ?
Not sure who could be big enough a sponsor for Mercs to risk their reputation for, after all its not just the F1 team any BS would reflect badly on some would bound to be aimed at the Mercedes board for going into F1.

I'm still not prepared to give them stick just yet. If we get to the first european race and still MGP are stuck in with Williams I will have to concede that you and Herman were right all along but I'm not sure that will be any consolation to you both.

This team in it's Honda and BAR days was full of S**t and it's very hard not to be sceptical if your a long time follower and I suspect that may well be why you and Herman sense a familiar smell.

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In The Pits
09/04/2011 18:58

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:04:13:20:28:47 by In The Pits.

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In The Pits
10/04/2011 18:38

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:04:13:20:29:16 by In The Pits.

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f2005
10/04/2011 19:50

I wonder what the relevance is of qualifying in the top ten only to go backwards in the race

The car was so bad that Nico did not bother to fend of Sutil

As for that pensioner that drives for you guys, I must say he gave as good as he got even falling off the road at times

Now the cat is out the bag that the Merc is so slow you guys can enjoy the rest of the season as everything good will be. Bonus

I wonder which car they said was going to win races this year of even be on the podium. Renault are the trump card this season

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sessions
10/04/2011 19:56

Not much to rave about currently, but hopefully we'll make some positive adjustments.

sessions

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PharLap
13/04/2011 19:37

One positive so far at least is that the races aren't over in April...hopefully we will catch up a bit soon and at least achieve some results later this season. I am trying to be positive and think it is possible...although very difficult to catch up as every team are working towards improving their teams. Lets keep our fingers crossed...

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