Mercedes GP pledge to build on fifth and sixth place Bahrain finish
Mercedes GP want to bridge the gap to the Ferraris and the Red Bulls in Australia
Thursday, 18, Mar 2010 10:03
By Adam Leveridge.
Mercedes GP are feeling positive following strong points finishes for Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher at the season-opening Bahrain grand prix on Sunday.
During free practice at the Sakhir circuit on Friday and Saturday, Rosberg featured consistently near the top of the timesheets and appeared to have three or four tenths of a second over Schumacher in the sister Silver Arrow.
Rosberg qualified well and made up places on the opening lap to go into fourth place ahead of Lewis Hamilton, however, a shrewd strategy by McLaren allowed the 2008 world champion back in front.
"I had a great start in the race and was happy to be running in fourth by the end of the first lap, having overtaken Hamilton into turn six," said Rosberg.
"However I lacked pace on the option tyres and struggled for pace on the first stint.
"Hamilton beat me on strategy in the pit stop which we need to analyse and see what happened.
"Fifth place is a good start for us and we can really build from here."
In his comeback race, Schumacher finished sixth, having seen of a challenge from reigning world champion Jenson Button and Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber.
The 41-year old struggled to cope with an understeering car throughout the weekend and was unable to match his team-mate's pace, however, Schumacher is confident Mercedes GP will continue to develop the car, to bring it more to his liking.
"After three years away, I'm happy to say that I had fun out there today," said Schumacher.
"I can live very well with sixth position and it gives both me and the team a good base to make progress.
"I have every confidence that we will improve the car. The guys did a great job so I would like to thank them for their support in my comeback race.
"We all know that we have some way to go but we will get there. The season is long."
Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn praised Rosberg and Schumacher for their performances, acknowledging that his team has work to do in order to catch the Ferraris and Red Bulls, who appear to have the fastest packages.
"Nico and Michael did a great job this weekend to finish in fifth and sixth positions and now we need to give them the car to improve on those placings," said Brawn.
"We were not quick enough today and our race pace was not there to finish further up the field and challenge for a podium position.
"We have some hard work ahead but I am confident that we can progress the car strongly in the next few races.
"The team performed extremely well this weekend and for our first race with our two new drivers, we achieved two strong points-scoring finishes."