What a tiring rush
Mercedes racing against time to fix tyre degradation problem
TEAM Mercedes are racing against time to fix the tyre degradation problem they faced in the seasonopening race in Melbourne before what many consider the toughest race in the Formula 1 calendar – the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang.
Mercedes went into last Sunday’s race brimming with confidence after a solid qualifying session in which seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher claimed fourth place and Nico Rosberg seventh.
But things did not go according to plan on race day.
Schumacher retired with a gearbox problem when running third while Rosberg was booted out on the final lap when he clashed with Sauber driver Sergio Perez.
Mercedes, therefore, will line up in Sepang seeking to live up to their true potential.
Schumacher and Rosberg will definitely be gunning to finish up the order but team principal Ross Brawn admitted the rate at which the Pirelli tyres degraded in Melbourne was their main concern.
The team have had two teleconferences with their engineers in Britain to resolve the issue quickly. “Despite excellent starts, both Michael and Nico had difficulties with their tyres in Melbourne.
“With the rise in the circuit and track temperatures, we fell out of the working window and struggled with degradation.
“We always had a lot of real-time analysis from previous experience and we are using the same approach. The tyres are a new challenge to us.
“We were given the new tyres during winter but the races in Australia and Malaysia are under different conditions altogether.
“Our engineers are working hard and we should unravel the problem. Hopefully, we can come up with the best strategy this weekend,” said Brawn, who remained positive things would work in their favour.
“We have a fundamentally good car, now it is up to us to optimise its performance and achieve its potential on track.”
Sepang is a significant track not just for their Malaysian sponsors, Petronas. It was also where mercedes earned their first podium finish in their debut year in 2010 through Rosberg.
Mercedes finished fourth in the Formula 1 constructors’ standings behind Red Bull, Mclaren and Ferrari last season.