Members of the Mercedes GP Petronas F1 team are all geared up for the race weekend at Sepang that’s happening in just a few days. Here’s some comments from various members of the Petronas-backed team.
Michael Schumacher
What do you enjoy, and what are the unique challenges, of the Sepang International Circuit?
Let’s put it like this: we consider Malaysia as one of our home Grands Prix, so it obviously gives us a big boost to go there and have the support of PETRONAS and the Malaysian people. The track itself is great as it gives you a wide variety of possibilities during every lap. You can take multiple lines through some of the corners, which is something you can do hardly anywhere else. I have always liked driving there, and I look forward to doing it again.
The team had a difficult time in Australia. What do you expect from the second race?
There is absolutely no doubt we want to do better than in the opening race, which was a disappointment for all of us. We clearly see that as a challenge and it is much too early to write us off. Everybody in the team remains positive and is in a fighting mood. So I expect a better weekend for us to come; a weekend we can build on.
Nico Rosberg
How do you rate the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia?
To be honest, Sepang is my favorite circuit on the Formula One calendar. It’s fast and challenging with a nice layout and a real variation of corners which make it an exciting track to drive. Last year I qualified second and achieved the team’s first podium of the season. I have a good feeling coming back here this year and hope to achieve a good result at the home race of our title partner PETRONAS.
Are you expecting a better weekend in Malaysia?
“We had a tough weekend in Australia but the team has worked hard and we are confident that the car will be running reliably in Malaysia. Melbourne is a unique circuit and we know that we will have a much better understanding of our level of performance after the next races. I think we can surprise people next Sunday. We know that the car is fast from the last test in Barcelona, so now we have to work on proving that potential.”
Ross Brawn, Team Principal
As the home race of our title partner, PETRONAS, the Malaysian Grand Prix is a very important and prestigious race for our team. The whole team enjoys our annual visit to both Kuala Lumpur and the Sepang International Circuit, and the unparalleled hospitality of our friends from PETRONAS and the Malaysian fans.
We endured a difficult weekend at the first race of the season, despite having reasonable expectations after completing a successful testing programme in Barcelona. We suffered a number of problems which resulted in a far from optimum car for qualifying and the race, and then were unlucky to suffer a disappointing double retirement for Michael and Nico.
Our priority since Melbourne has been to regroup back at our factories in Brackley and Brixworth, to review the weekend in detail, and to establish the best way to achieve the full potential of the car from Malaysia onwards. How we respond to the disappointment of Melbourne, and the challenges we faced, will be a true measure of our team.
Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
The Sepang circuit presents many challenges. It has a wide variety of corners with varying radii which demand good aerodynamic stability and efficiency from a Formula 1 car. There are four major braking events during the lap, and extreme climatic conditions are the norm in Sepang, with high temperatures and humidity – which create a high likelihood of rain in the late afternoon during both qualifying and the race.
The Malaysian Grand Prix is one of our home races, with our title partner PETRONAS headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, and Nico scored the first podium for our team last year at this circuit with a third-place finish.
Since the first race in Australia, we have worked hard in Brackley and Brixworth to analyse the reasons behind, and to solve, the reliability and performance problems which hampered our first race weekend of the season. Our target is to be in better shape in Malaysia.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Hoping to see more M’sian F1 teams to make it to the podium finish ! :)
*yawn*
Have to say I’m impressed with the ‘black sheep’ :) Team Lotus noise in the media compared to Merc or LRGP. Jarno cycling with Malaysian cycling team etc etc means a lot more than some sterile public appearance.
How come nothing from LRGP? Group Lotus not doing anything just coz their car too quick? Even RedBull did something last Sunday
u think red bull do it for free? u have to pay to f1 team for ask them to do street demo.
bro LRGP do demo at Proton factory…….Shah Alam and TGM
oh they did? Though it sounds more like a show for their sponsor rather than for general public.
While RedBull, Team Lotus and even MercGP are doing at least something for the general Malaysian public
waste of Rakyat’s money to sponsor on this team! better use all those money for petrol subsidy…
It is a win win situation. Petronas lubricants are now OEM in Mercedes cars in some countries.
I wonder why the collaboration between Schumi and Ross Brawn did not work this time around. They were almost invincible during their Ferrari days but now it look as if they have not much passion left in their blood. I used to be a fan but not anymore. I think Schumi should just retire and do what Mika Hakinen is doing right now, be happy.
Because the success of a particular car isn’t down to just 2 people. Schumi and Brawn had their ‘dream team’ with them back then and they had Ferrari’s full support
Schumi must have Mercedes’s full backing. Then he’ll be No1 again.
Now they have Mercedes full support. It takes time….