After all the pre-season hype, the Melbourne paddock banter about its clever F-duct system and a strong showing in qualifying, Mercedes failed to shine in last Sunday's season opener. The situation has many paddock regulars confused as to just how good the new W03 really is. "Good question," Michael Schumacher told Bild newspaper at an event this week in Malaysia. "We don't know yet."
Agreed Finnish commentator and former F1 driver Mika Salo: "It's going to be interesting. Malaysia requires a lot more from a car aerodynamically than does Australia. "I am sure McLaren will still be at the front, but Red Bull and Mercedes will probably be closer."
So what happened to Mercedes' early promise in Australia? "In the race we had some problems, especially with the tyres -- they degraded too quickly," revealed team boss Ross Brawn. But for Sepang, "We have an idea about how we can get it under control," he added.
If that is true, then Sir Jackie Stewart is looking forward to seeing "the old Michael Schumacher" for the first time since he initially retired in 2006. "He is driving well again," the famous Scot told Kolner Express newspaper, "but so too is Nico Rosberg. They have a much better car than last year, and Michael is finally showing what he is capable of. I don't know if that will be (good enough for) victories, but for sure we will see him again on the podium," added Stewart. (GMM)
Mercedes knows how to solve problems with tyre degradation
- Published on 22 Mar 2012 15:39
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Feb 11
L. Norris
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Feb 12
C. Leclerc
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Feb 13
A. Antonelli
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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G. Russell
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Feb 19
A. Antonelli
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Spain
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
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Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
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1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
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Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
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Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Driver profile
- Team -
- Points -
- Podiums -
- Grand Prix -
- Country DE
- Date of b. Jun 27 1985 (41)
- Place of b. Wiesbaden, DE
- Weight 71 kg
- Length 1.78 m
4 members have this team as their favourite
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Team profile
- Team name Mercedes
- Base Brackley, Germany
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Nico Rosberg 4
- Nico Rosberg 6
- Michael Schumacher 7
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 9
- Lewis Hamilton 10
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli 12
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- George Russell 63
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- 638,839 comments on Mercedes
- 59 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Mercedes
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