Brawn sets the driver status

Nico might just be the #2?? No surprise if true.


Brawn will determine driver status in F1 2010, says Mercedes

Mon, 18 Jan 10:52:14 2010
Crash.net

Ross Brawn will be at liberty to decide as to whether there is a number one and a number two driver at Mercedes Grand Prix in F1 2010, the Stuttgart manufacturer has confirmed – fuelling speculation that returning seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will be afforded preferential status and treatment.

Brawn and Schumacher benefit from a long history together – with the Englishman having helped to expertly guide the record-breaking German to each and every one of his drivers’ world championship crowns, firstly at Benetton and then Ferrari – and that has led to fears that the Kerpen native will be able to waltz back into F1 and simply reassume the de facto number one status that was his for the majority of his career from 1991 to 2006.

If Nico Rosberg had signed up for the Brackley-based outfit expecting to be team leader, say the conspiracy theorists, then he’d better think again – as the arrival of the most successful driver in the top flight’s history alongside him has changed everything. And Mercedes – which purchased a majority stake in 2009 double world champions Brawn GP late last year – has done little to quell such talk.

“We have a team manager for this,” revealed Dieter Zetsche – chairman of the three-pointed star’s parent company Daimler AG – in an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Ross Brawn is one of the best. If he wasn’t then he wouldn’t have won both titles last year, despite his team being in their debut [season]. He will decide, and it will be the best for the drivers and the constructor.”

Zetsche also sought to allay fears that after three years out of the cockpit, Schumacher’s mental and physical fitness might no longer be quite as razor-sharp as they once were, and will consequently hamper the 41-year-old’s efforts to take the fight to – and beat – the new young guard of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso et al.

“We are convinced that Michael will do well and that he’ll win again,” the German underlined. “Maybe not immediately – let’s give him some time – but an ace never disappoints. I’ve been impressed by his enthusiasm. Rather than a return, it seems to me like a new debut.”

 

a poll on a very reliable F1 site has the following predicition for which of the two would finish higher in the standings:

SCHUMI - 79%

Nico - 17%

undecided - 4%

A percentage like that would certainly answer the proposed question. Even if they start out equal, Schumi will be the one carrying the team.

Carol

 

If I was Nico Rosberg, I would already be regretting having signed for Mercedes.

From Ross Brawn's comment, it looks like Noco will be playing second fiddle like Barichello, Irvine and other before him.

Not a very comfortable to be Number One in a team, and then switch to another team to become Number Two.

 

Right on the money William, I think it also shows a lot on Michael's part to have such a quick teammate as Nico in the team. Lets see how the first 3 races go.

 

Lesser of two evils for JB then, I personally don't like a #1 status being designated before a wheel has been turned.

 

Well if he makes lemonade he has the best driver in the world as a teammate-mentor. He may learn enough to actually win some races.

Who would you rather have been last year, a number 1 driver Nico, or a number 2 driver Barrichello? I would choose Barrichello.

 

+ 1 Excellent post Robert.

 

How can he learn to win if he is not allowed to

 

On the one hand, you have a seven-times world champion, 91 wins and 154 podia.

On the other hand you have 0 wins, 2 podia and 76 points.

Shuey has more WINS than Nico has points.

This is a BGO . . . Blinding Glimpse of the Obvious.

Brawn is no dummy.

 

If you were a spoiled kid you might regret it...His choice was... back marker with Williams , or work with Ross Brawn, who at the time, managed another WDC. Rosberg needs to sit tight and keep his ears open. His competitive nature will add true value to what is already a strong team.

 

Two words, Steve: Felipe Massa.

 

Ah well ..

Anyway last time I looked team orders were banned thanks to MS and Ross taking the p!ss.

 

thank you! Nico has nothing to regret he's going to learn from the best. if he's fast he'll get his chance, simple as that.

 

We have yet to see how Shumacher is competitive.

I am sure that Nico Rosberg has all the qualities to win GPs.
Hamilton didn't have much over him when these 2 were racing in F3000 (or whatever it's called now, GP2, I think), but was lucky to step straightaway in leading team with a competitive car to become Ron Dennis' favourite son.
Nico didn't have that luck, but he is still a fast and competent driver.

But now that Nico moves to a leading team, he may have to give precedence to the Kayser Shumacher; that wasn't part of the script!!

Playing Number 2 to Michael Shumacher is rather a dead end as far as I am concerned.
It could even be a waste of time, and ruins his career.

Also, I don't think that last year Barichello was designated number 2 to Jenson Button. Button never demonstrated any superiority before his lucky streak of victories at the begining of 2009, thanks to the Brawn's rear diffusor.
In fact, Barrichello drove better than Button in the second part of the season .

 

Exactly. Being the #1 driver is almost irrelevant if you're driving for Williams (in recent years at least). I'd much rather be #2 at a top tier team than #1 at a bottom tier team. Add to that the fact that his team mate is now Schuey - arguably one of the greatest drivers to ever pilot a F1 car. Winning is more than just being a fast driver. It is also about the mental game, discipline, attention to detail, etc. that Schuey has and can now teach Nico. Sit tight Nico. Listen and learn!

 

Thats my point. He won late in the season at Valencia and Monza, and Nico may do the same.

 

I'd have thought that was written right into Schumi's contract -- the provision that the "other guy" is just support.

(I'm wondering how Ferrari signed Alonso without a similar provision.)

 

'Rosberg will debut Merc's 2010 car'
Monday 18th January 2010 - PlanetF1.com

Nico Rosberg will have the honour of debuting Mercedes GP's 2010 F1 car, according to team boss Ross Brawn.


This year's Championship will see Rosberg team up with seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher in an all-German line-up at Mercedes GP.


The two will get down to business at the opening pre-season test, which kicks off at Valencia on February 1st.


However, it is Rosberg who will debut the Silver Arrow on the opening day.


"Nico will drive the new car at the first (test), like it was on the agenda from the outset, before Michael signed with the team," Brawn told Bild.


As for the battle between the two Germans, Brawn isn't willing to say which of the two he believes will come out on top.


"That should be very interesting between the two," said Brawn. "We cannot guess yet.


"The combination is a very good and they both have respect for each other."

 

In a way, Nico is lucky. He's young, and he's got MS as his teammate. Wayy better than having another young fry as your teammate, and can barely learn anything from him.

The way i look at is, Nico has to be patient. Maybe he won't be champion in the next 3 years, but when Schumi leaves in 3 years time, and he had gathered enough advice, etc, he'll be winning. No doubt about it.

Look at how Massa has progressed, since MS was his teammate.

 

Agreed.

 

So, MS requested to be handed the #3 (originally for Nico, since Merc signed him 1st) and Nico the #4. It seems he has a thing for odd numbers...

 

Nice to see the modern Tyrrells returning to their rightful team numbers.

Fwiw, car #4 had better results than #3 the last time out, so I suppose they'll pick up where they left off..........

 

I agree Brian. Plus it takes much of the pressure off Nico to win right away in the WCC car.

 

Keep talking Is. You're gonna eat soooooo much crow

 

Thanks!

Well, according to autosport, comparing car #3 and #4, #3 has had more championship wins than #4