MERCEDES GP HALF SEASON REPORT

Source:GPupdate.net
By sessions
July 25 2011

We have passed the half-way point in the 2011 season and MGP have scored fewer points than last season at the same interval.

Over the winter months there was a world of speculation about the upcoming 2011campaign. Mercedes GP insisted 2011 would bring a stronger and more competitive team than the previous season. They also said Schumacher would find more of the old magic he demonstrated at Ferrari. There was also the belief MGP had worked out a lot of the first season teething problems.

Pirelli became the new tyre representative promising to offer more exciting racing by requiring teams to use at least two different rubber compounds that would degrade at a faster rate than the 2010 Bridgestone’s causing more pit-stops and greater opportunities to overtake rival cars. The rule changes also introduced new movable rear wings to also enhance passing and aid the KERS system.

Mercedes started off dreadfully in Australia by not scoring any points. Malaysia wasn’t a lot better for the team as Schumacher managed a mere 2 points. In China both cars finally achieved points, Nico 10 and Michael 4. Turkey afforded Nico a second good performance by securing another 10 points. Michael failed to reach the points. Spain was a better team effort with Schumi scoring 8 and Nico picking up 6. It was on to Monaco which turned into another disappointing weekend of 0 points.

Canada saw Schumacher walk away with 12 points but Nico fell flat with 0 points. The European GP fizzled for Michael, but Nico grabbed another 6 points. Great Britain was kinder to Nico with 8, but MS finished ninth for 2 points. Germany saw the Mercedes team both score points Nico 6 Michael 4.

At this time last season Mercedes had scored a total of 132 points. The point scoring was also considerably more lopsided with Nico at 94 and Michael at 38. This season at the halfway mark MGP has but 78 points, but the scoring is more even with Rosberg leading the way with 46 points to Michael’s 32.

Mercedes GP even with its difficult first half season is fourth in the Constructors standings, same as last season. MGP, slow start and all has still managed to hold off Renault and are hoping to garner more points during the second half of the 2011 season.

Rating: Managing to meet minimum expectations, but need a strong last half season by both drivers to salvage any form of advancement over 2010.