Mercedes AMG F1 Team 2012

[FoxHound]

Mercedes testing in France tomorrow with Sam Bird.
I would guess this is an evaluation of the updates, and whether they correlate with the computer data. Looking at the new front wing evolution, and it's traits that are similar to the Lotus FW, I would hazard a guess that Mercedes ditched the Bigois update when it became apparent he was leaving, and focused on a fresh approach with Ellis.
But their tyre problems again will see them well behind where they should be. The W04 is also alleged to be an evolution of the W03, and I can see them struggling yet again with tyres in 2013.
Schumacher knows it, and I suppose so does Hamilton. We could see Di Resta at Mercedes next year if MSC decides he's had enough.

[zyphro]

Pretty funny how Mercedes lose over a second (nearly 2 seconds) per pit stop to the Mclarens.

They did the fastest pit stops last year. Amazing.

[yener]

Cant understand why Schumacher and Rosberg are happy with the Monza results. They got lucky that Seb - Jensons and Webber got out of the race or else they would be around p10 again.

I really cant see the mentioned progress.

Months of time wasted by searching the operating window while the others just improved on all areas MGP is still searching for the sweet spot of the tyres. Keep on searching Brawn! It didnt buy them anything. The car is still eating tyres and they are dropping in performance every race.

The expectations are to high. MGP is nothing more then a midfield runner in my eyes. They are miles away from even gettin close to a topteam.

[zyphro]

Cant understand why Schumacher and Rosberg are happy with the Monza results. They got lucky that Seb - Jensons and Webber got out of the race or else they would be around p10 again.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102408

[SeijaKessen]

...
I firmly believe that based on his success with MGP --Brawn GP does not count as there was nothing to build with that team other than shoehorning a Merc engine into the car-- he was not instrumental one bit to Ferrari's success during the Todt/Schumacher years. He was as you say, MrM's ambassador at best. Technical director? I think not.

You know what they say, it's about "know who" far more than "know how", but this guy is still a completely different animal altogether, starting out as a milling machine operator with MrM's old March outfit, can you believe it?

Not that I don't believe in working your way up in the world, but come on?

I actually was not aware he started out as milling machine operator.

Why based on that, he would be qualified to drill bowling balls since the machine used for that is similar to a milling machine.

F1 historically has operated on a, "it's not what you know, it's who you know" premise. Woe to the person who tries to buck that trend.

Dr. Z can't seriously believe Ross the Toss is the best man to be Team Principal of MGP can he?

I really would find that to be stunning.

But you know xpensive, something interesting just popped into my head.

Way back in the days when March was supplying cars to all formulas, various drivers did have issues with getting quality built chassis from March. MrM was a wheeler-and-dealer just like MrE and MrB. Of course who learned from who is probably about the only thing I wonder about. If you were liked, I think you did get better equipment. It kind of makes me wonder what Ross really learned there since he got picked up so quickly by Frank Williams. Oh and don't forget the time Ross spent with Walkinshaw and the Silk Cut Jaguars in the late 80s.

He's been around mostly people of disrepute for the bulk of his motor racing career.

I find it interesting how people scoff at the notion that his sale of Brawn GP could never be a con.

Just look at who Ross associated with the last 35 years...

I do think if Dr. Z had known even half the things we know, he would have passed on the F1 venture...or at least passed on keeping Ross attached to the whole thing if possible.

[wunderkind]

Seijakessen,

Ron Dennis started out as a mechanic also.

[spadeflush]

I cant remember a time in this season where MGPAMGPETRONASF1 has made the right pit call for michael. When he's not screwed by the machinery, he's screwed by the pitwall. They were the fastest pit crew in 2010 and 2011 and its embarassing to see them struggle to achieve a sub 4 second stop this year. Are they suffering from a beer belly epidemic? That would explain what they were doing for 3 months.

Moral of the story is, even if they do bring a significant upgrade package that works, they are still prone to goofing up in one department or the other. MSC has been impressive, Britney shows glimpses of pace (rarely). The rest are sleeping.

[xpensive]

Seijakessen,

Ron Dennis started out as a mechanic also.

That is true, but I doubt if Ron ever nursed the idea to call himself "Technical director" around Barnard or Newey?

[Vasconia]

Best part of the race today was:

Team radio:
Box: "Michael, we need 3 qualy laps, push now."
MSC: "Are you joking?"

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad

Did Michael really reply with that? I never got that only the former.

Really? that must be the funniest moment of the race.

I listened the first part but not Michaels answer, I have to chek the race again.

[Vasconia]

Its true that Michael is performing more consistently than Nico, yesterday when they had so many problems in the first stint the veteran was much more competitive than Nico, but in the second half of the race Nicos pace was clearly better, Michael was fast too but Nico was tremendously fast in the last laps. So I think both did a great race.

Now Singapur, this race(and perhaps Japan) is the key race to see what happens with Schumacher, if the long awaited update improves the car making possible to fight for podiums/victories, Michael will continue next season if not...I dont want to consider this posibility.

[snoop1050]

i think they had different setups not that its an excuse, schumacher was often 0-3seconds slower in the middle sector.

[clipsy1H]

guys Nico almost all race have a clear way but MIchael after pit was stuck behind (D'Ambrosio Di Resta Hulk) and don't forget he fight with Kimi so his tires wasn't in best shape.
if race was 3-4 laps longer he would be finished in 4th place

[schumifan]

yep he would have been fourth and maybe he would have beaten vettel too, but fifth was true result with an extra lap as button should have been second/third

thing is i adore michael and am just getting too annoyed with this team - his driving is very good now, but this car needs to be decent at some point. you do not want a situation where, because of getting older, the car gets good but he is past it. you know what i mean. the guy is incredible for mid forties, but he needs a car NOW, because at this second his speed is good, but one day and we do not know when that day will be, he will be too slow or will be past it

forgive the ramble, but you know what i mean guys

[SeijaKessen]

Seijakessen,

Ron Dennis started out as a mechanic also.

Yes, but as xpensive said, Ron at least had the decency to never call himself a technical director.

No one on this forum has been able to actually explain to me, what Ross actually did as a TD during the Benetton and Ferrari years. The best I've gotten was when one poster made a post that read more like a Technical Director job posting than anything else. I guess here is my point. Were Ross so instrumental in the success of Benetton and Ferrari --instead of being MrM's ambassador to those teams-- then it really shouldn't be so difficult for him to do the same things with MGP. He was there for 7 championships worth of succcess, yet nothing carries over?

[xpensive]

What indeed carried over, to Brawn, was the support from MrM to circumvent the diffuser-rules in an outrageous fashion.

Just imagine FIA's reaction if McLaren had tried a stunt like that, impounded cars and another 100 MUSD fine perhaps?