Mercedes GP

[mikec]

So another failed car design from the folks at Mercedes GP and its onwards and hopefully upwards for Ross & Co. to build a challenger for 2012. It will be the last chance for Ross and for Schumi to put the silver arrow on the podium on a regular basis. It looks like all the stops will be pulled financially and the manpower will increase. I believe they will succeed in building a podium car but not a winner on a regular basis. With very few technical changes in store for next year it's all about who can copy Newey the best and add in the coolest little device to give that extra edge (ie flex wing,wing stall devices,blown floors) I feel Brawn has the same expertise to match Newey blow by blow and it will all be about who comes out of the wind tunnel with the most properly applied downforce.Mercedes got it wrong again this year and this was all a fundamental design flaw in the car . With arguably the best" lump" in the field it should be a battle between Mercedes and McLaren next year, I think the reign of the Red Bull is over ( it should be anyway) On the other hand Ferrari are always a threat to run away with it all and this could happen. I predict multiple victories for Schumi and Rosberg with a smattering of victories for Alonso and Hammy. Also look for a strong Williams resurgence with Renault power and Mike Coughlan in the fold. They may even have Kimi behind the wheel so it should be a banner year for Williams if all goes as planned. Anyway enough rambling, look for Rosbergs first win as well as at least three wins for Schumacher as well. It should be an incredible year and hopefully the DRS will be gone and Mercedes GP will claim a world championship. Any thoughts?

[Lotusguy]

Dude, what are you smoking "the reign of Red Bull is over"?? They are just getting started...

[riazp]

Dude, what are you smoking "the reign of Red Bull is over"?? They are just getting started...

x2...the day Red bulls reign will be over is when Vettel goes to ferrari...and it will happen. every great driver wants to drive for Ferrari.

[asmith]

I think RB still has a couple more championship years left, well till then introduce 1.6 turbo engine then it will be a little different.

[Lotusguy]

I am so not looking forward to the engine change... they will not sound as glorious and the lower rev limit - BOOOOO!!!

It will be nothing like the crazy turbo era of the 80s with the 1000+ hp qualifying engines

I agree that Vettel probably will sooner or later end up at Ferrari.

[MIKA27]

Hi mike.

I'm a MercedesGP fan myself and whilst they do have a strong car on the track (Straight line speed) their downforce for cornering and set up is never quite right. Schumacher loves to brake late for example and loves the car to turn more with over steer vs under-steer but the current Mercedes racer is pretty bad for cornering and this is what is failing MGP.

To say Ross Brawn is of a similar ilk of Adrian Newey is a little incorrect in that Adrian Newey is 'The Michael Schumacher/Ayrton Senna" of Aero design whereas Ross Brawn is a brilliant strategist back in the day where it was vital to have strategies in regards to refuelling vs weight and pitstops. Long gone are the days of ferrari where Ross and Schumi where unstoppable. If F1 were to reintroduce re-fuelling, Ross would again be unstoppable regardless of what Newey could design!

I do think that MercGP are on the up and do feel that they can currently get a podium or two and feel that next season will be a great year for the team. Maybe they could lure Newey to the team and have both Brawn and Newey!?

[mikec]

Ok so maybe Red Bull do have another championship or two left in them but the might of Mercedes will overcome eventually. And Mika I do agree with your assesment of Brawn/Newey and I also dont think he will be leaving Red Bull anytime soon.

[MIKA27]

Ok so maybe Red Bull do have another championship or two left in them but the might of Mercedes will overcome eventually. And Mika I do agree with your assesment of Brawn/Newey and I also dont think he will be leaving Red Bull anytime soon.

Go the SILVER ARROWS!!