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| © Mercedes |
Mercedes believes that its 2012 car has progressed fundamentally from its predecessors and that it can deliver the results it aims for.
The German team admitted that aerodynamics had been a weak spot in the last two seasons and has focussed primarily on that area for the F1 W03, which was launched on Tuesday.
The new challenger features a stepped nose but after the first day of running at Catalunya during the second pre-season test, Michael Schumacher was not too concerned.
“The aerodynamics figures look good so I’m not worried about the shape of the nose!” the seven-time world champion reported.
McLaren however is the only outfit so far not to feature the ‘ugly’ nose with Schumacher pointing out that the British team “found a different way of interpreting” the new regulations.
“But I keep saying this, there are many ways to Rome,” Schumacher insisted.
Teammate Nico Rosberg added that the new car has “no breakthrough and no ‘philosopher’s stone’” and credited the efforts on the new car to the factory.
“Everything is much more compact. Everything has its place. Nothing is thrown on to the car afterwards because 'Oh! We really need that, you know'. Everything was planned in advance,” Rosberg explained.
He added, “Once you’ve created a flawless working environment it is more likely to do the trick than any technical wizardry. That was probably possible in the 1950s and 60s but today it’s all down to teamwork.”
The 26-year-old Rosberg, who is yet to win a race, however expected the team to encounter minor teething problems in the initial stages during the testing sessions although he clarified it would be normal.
“Show me someone who says they are bringing a car to a test without expecting any hiccups and I’ll show you an optimist!” he told the official F1 website.