Ross Brawn takes stock of the season but thinks about 2012
Very early in the season, Mercedes understood that it had to put aside its ambitions for victories. The recent statements by Dieter Zetsche, president of the German company, confirmed this disappointment. Ross Brawn takes stock of the situation by answering a few questions on the official Formula 1 website.
Q: Ross, what was your pleasure in seeing Michael Schumacher achieve good results at Spa and Monza? In Belgium, for example, he started from the last position to finish fifth…
Ross Brawn: «Of course, Spa was great, as was Monza. But these two results remain quite weak as we are only celebrating fifth places. Naturally, Michael’s driving was a pleasure to watch… but we are not here to celebrate fifth places…»
Q: The first lap at Spa also created some surprises for you. Nico Rosberg made a good start, and we finally saw a Mercedes leading a race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to last. What happened?
Ross Brawn: «It was very pleasant to see one of our cars leading the race, but we knew it would be very difficult for us to bring the victory home. Spa is a circuit that makes your aerodynamic system very vulnerable. And we know that we are not yet strong enough in this area. But yes, Nico has demonstrated that when we have a car to win, he will be there. Our motivation and desire for success have been multiplied thanks to this race.
Q: Your two drivers have shown in the past that they have the ability to be regularly on the podium. So, the problem comes from the car?
Ross Brawn: «Our aim is clearly to improve our car. The Mercedes engine has proven to be very strong, and this year’s engine has already won races with McLaren. So, the drivers are good, the engine is efficient, the result of this equation is that we need to have a stronger car. We have all the ingredients to achieve this and the whole team believes in it.»
Q: Recently, former driver and team boss Gerhard Berger criticized Mercedes regarding their involvement. To what extent can these criticisms help you?
Ross Brawn: «I don’t really know Gerhard’s motivations regarding us, but the reality is there, we must have a more performant car. However, someone like him understands the difficulties of such an operation, and I am sure he comprehends them well. At Mercedes, we are fully committed to succeeding in Formula 1 in the spirit and understanding of the limits. We must go as far as these limits allow us. The big teams always benefit from their size to adapt quickly. We are now at the level of these big teams, and we are already beginning to feel the benefits. From a strategic point of view, Bob Bell, who recently joined us, is already bringing us a lot, and in other areas, the reinforcements we have received are allowing us to perform better work.»
Q: The management of tires seems to pose a real problem for you on all tracks and in all conditions. Why?
Ross Brawn: To be honest, I think it’s part of the challenge of current Formula 1. Everyone is pleased with this situation but it can become frustrating if we can’t make the most of it. But everyone gets the same tires and I must say Pirelli has done a fantastic job in ensuring we all have the same chance at the start. They have done wonderfully in their first year in Formula 1. They should be applauded, and we have to take the tires as part of the competition as they are.
Q: What are your hopes for the end of the season? Will you be able to maintain your fourth position in the constructors’ championship?
Ross Brawn: Indeed, third place is getting further and further away. Our team loves to fight and will do everything possible to achieve the best performance until the end of the year. But we must also recognize that we are at a point in the season where we need to think about next year’s car. We cannot compromise 2012, and so it becomes our priority. But we still have many interesting races in 2011 and numerous opportunities that we will not squander.
Q: Now that you are focusing on 2012, would you dare to make a comparison with Brawn GP’s victorious creation in 2009?
Ross Brawn: «The 2012 cars will have much smoother evolution than in previous years. The development of the future single-seater will happen in normal percentages over the winter, unless someone comes up with a very radical idea that no one else has thought of yet. We will put the same resources, efforts, and amount of work into the new car as the other big teams. I don’t feel disadvantaged in any way. The fact is that we are making a good step forward.»
