Mercedes are bringing a longer version of the W01 to the next race at Barcelona for both their drivers and Michael Schumacher will use a different chassis.
But he doesn’t think it will be enough for last year’s constructors’ champions to take on the front runners just yet:
Our step forward in Barcelona will be bigger than you can make at each race during the flyaways but it would not be realistic to expect us to suddenly be competing right at the front. I am hoping for a better race in Barcelona than I had in China and of course I would not mind having had better results so far.
Michael Schumacher
Ross Brawn explained some of the technical changes being made to the car this weekend as well as Schumacher’s change of chassis:
The start of the European season is the first opportunity to make significant changes to the car and the Spanish Grand Prix will see the first step in our development programme for the MGP W01.
In addition to a major aerodynamic and bodywork package, we have made changes to the wheelbase of the car which will help the overall handling and weight distribution.
Michael will use a different chassis for Barcelona as we take the opportunity of having the cars back at the factory after the flyaway races to repair some damage to his original chassis. He will switch to our first chassis which was previously used during the pre-season tests.
Ross Brawn
Norbert Haug says he expects a change in Schumacher’s fortunes soon:
Nico is currently second in the drivers’ world championship which shows that he and our Mercedes team have done a good job in the first fifth of the season getting the best results from the material available. Michael did not have such a good run, mostly without his fault, in the first four races. I am absolutely convinced that this will change sooner rather than later.
Norbert Haug
Rosberg is currently second in the drivers’ championship on 50 points, Schumacher is tenth on ten points. Mercedes are fourth in the constructors’ championship on 60 points, 49 behind leaders McLaren.
Himmat
30th April 2010, 11:23
I think Schumacher will see a top five finish at Spain…
BasCB
30th April 2010, 11:31
I am suprised to be writing this, but here goes: Schumi show them your speed and racing prowess!
I would like to see some overtaking at Barcelona by Schumi after not getting there in qualifying. He must know this track far too much not to find a working setup.
chris g
30th April 2010, 12:15
sooner he goes the better, Heidfeld is wasted as a backup diver,
Im not necessarly biased against him, just cant see how people can want to see a seven times world champion win again,……….. good effort to come back though ………..
DGR-F1
30th April 2010, 13:13
When did Old Schuey break his car? This sounds like ‘it doesn’t work so it must be broken’ to me……. :-)
yelrom
1st May 2010, 5:54
They shld have put Heidfeld against Rosberg.
Todfod
2nd May 2010, 9:25
Ross Brawn to the Press – “Looks like we are going to fix a lot of the problems we had with the car by Barcelona. It should now favour Schumi’s driving style, and we should be fighting at the front soon.”
Schumi to Ross Brawn – “Why did you make that statement? I really wanted to blame my lack of speed on the car.”
Ross to Schumi – “People aren’t stupid, and Rosberg would not be second in the championship right now if the car was so undriveable”
Schumi to himself – ” @$#!. Why did I make a comeback? I should have retired when I came up against Fernando, but no, I wanted to drive against Fernando, Lewis and Sebastian. @$#!ing hell.. there goes my legacy.”