I'm starting to wonder whether Mercedes will win a race at all this season. Here is why: a) The Merc is only the 4th best car on the grid. I think that much of its anticipated domination was down to its reputation from last year. But last year Brawn had full control, now it seems the Mercedes corporate world is suffocating his approach. Also I wonder how dominant the Merc really was last year: It won all the opening races due to the super diffuser, but by mid season the results started to come in rather rarely. We thought it was Button just trying to be cautious with his lead, but maybe the competition had caught up at that point and the car didn't have much else beyond the super diffuser. b) Schumacher doesn't get to build the dreamteam around him in the way he was able to at Benetton and Ferrari. Again probably down to the Merc Corporate structure. Merc seems to be treating its F1 team in the same way Honda, Toyota and BMW did. And that doesn't translate into victories. This is merely my opinion. The only fact we have is that Brawn doesn't talk to Schumacher over the radio (according to Speed TV). That by itself shows how the dreamteam approach has changed into a run-the-mill team. Comments?
While its too early to tell there are bound to be differences from previous years. It'll be interesting to watch.
A) I agree. Brawn GP and Button got lucky last year, they gave themself enough room in the start of the season with the diffuser to win the titles. As a team, they still have plenty of growing to do and I believe that's where Schumacher is most valuable. They will take time to develop in order to really compete against the top teams. Even know that the team has been around for awhile now, but I still see them as a new team in only their second year, because the entire team culture and approach to F1 racing has to change first before they can win with regularity. Remember, it still took them 3 years to win the WCC title at Ferrari, and that's with a young Schumacher. B) I still think Ross Brawn is still really in control of the team, and not Haug. As for Schumacher's performance so far this year, I think his age has certainly caught up to him and that he will need more time for us to see where he is really at. One thing he has certainly done so far this year, is to take the heat off Nico Roseberg and allowing him to further develop as a young driver.
Schumi told the press today that they're waiting for Barca, for major aero upgrades, before the team can target winning. Right now, according to him, it's just podiums. It's funny how people are expecting an instant miracle, when Schumi himself has warned during pre season tests that they're not the fastest car.
If they get a handle on the chassis, then they will be a contendor. A better chassis, with that engine is a potent combo. Winning makes everything easier. I'm still unclear how much Brawn has interaction with Michael during the race. The only transmission was during the Bore-Rain GP when Speed made that comment. (unless I missed one last week). Remember, Michael's return had alot to do with Brawn being there. Kevin
Yea, but thats the 2009 car, and with the super diffuser thing. After the teams caught up on this, Brawn was nothing in the end half of the season.
Bahrain was their first race, so I cut them some slack there. Melbourne was a disaster with MS going to the back of the field twice. I still think he has some magic and will show it later this season. If MS can get a good qualifying lap and start near the front, I think he could be a true contendor.
2009 is a perfect example of just what a difference a car makes. Case in point; Barrichello. Won a few races last year, this year back of the pack. Has his talent dropped off that much?not at all. But there is such a fine line these days in making a car a winner vs a mid-pack car. Knowing M-B's importance on re-entry into the sport, they will throw alot of resources into upgrades. Kevin
It is about the car. Red Bull lost it last year only because of reliability issues that seem to continue this year. Ferrari and McLaren really started to develop this year's car in the middle of last season after they blew their chances. I think that Merc will catch up by midseason when it will be too late. Schumi will still know how to develop the car but he is too slow and neutered to win races except by accident. Hopefully Nico will considering how well he did in that loser Williams last year. I don't think any amount of camaraderie will propel the current Schumi to a WDC.
But other teams got quicker. Most significantly, Mclaren, Ferrari, Red Bull has even gotten quicker, and Renault (with Kubica then) is also a surprise.
They moved ahead, Brawn didn't (as much). Just as Brawn had a jump on the field last year by starting the next year's car (09) early in 08. Last year they were too concerned with the championship race and developing the current year's car to put in as much time on the 2010 car. The change in team ownership and the new org chart couldn't have helped either. Nor did taking on that new Shoemaker guy
Too many elements in motion for Mercedes GP. New majoity owner, new drivers, Haug coming in, no more difuser advantage. Add to that other teams started developing their new cars in mid 2009. Schumi appears is washed up. He has not displayed his former energy at the track. His struggling with Alguersauri was very revealing. The three musketeers are not the same thirty years later... Eventually Mercedes will get it right but I'm not sure Schumi will be part of that equation.
You gotta be joking, right? The greatest F1 driver (statistically) of ALL TIME doesn't get "washed up". I may have to eat crow, but if he and Merc can develop the car more to his liking (and if anyone can, Ross can!) he will win at least one race this year - Hardly washed up...... I already have money (OK, beer) that says he'll score more points than Nico this year, and I'll stick with that. Cheers, Ian
Indeed. Regardless of what he does this season, I reckon he'll be at least one of the favorites in 2011..... If anyone can, Michael can!
If MS scored zero points Nico can't have twice as many. Multiplying or dividing by zero yields zero. So if Nico won the WDC and Mike failed to score at all you'd loose the bet
This discussion is why I am glad he is not at Ferrari. Too distracting. Fun to watch for another team though.
