F-duct and squabbles key to Mercedes success

Date: 9th June 2010 at 4:00 pm | Filed under: Formula 1 News,Mercedes-Benz GP | Author: Glen Robertson | Tags: Canada, Constructors' Championship, f-duct, Ferrari, Mercedes, Mercedes GP, Mercedes-Benz, Michael Schumacher, Montreal, Nico Rosberg, Renault, Ross Brawn, Silver Arrows | image © Action Images

Formula One returns to North America this weekend with Mercedes GP facing a pivotal weekend – in the race for third.

Both of the Silver Arrows’ cars finished ahead of the Renaults and Ferraris for the first time this season, though the team still find themselves in fourth-place in the Constructors’ Championship – 46 points behind Ferrari.

And it is highly unlikely the Maranello-based team will keep making mistakes that will hold back Fernando Alonso. So it is imperative that Mercedes lay down a marker this weekend by comprehensively beating the Prancing Horse and the rest of the midfield if they are going to achieve third-place.

Montreal holds very good memories for Michael Schumacher. He has amassed seven victories in his career in Canada, as well as five podiums. His closest challenger in the history books is Nelson Piquet Sr. who has won three times.

The unparalleled success Schumacher has at the circuit will be of great benefit to the team, and to Nico Rosberg who has only raced three times there and never finished higher than 10^th.

However, Montreal – despite the tight corners and chicanes – is a high-speed circuit. So far Mercedes have been unable to get the most out of their new f-duct, meaning their top speed is restricted.

Getting the best out of the device will keep the cars ahead of the chasing pack. Should it not work then the promise shown in Istanbul two weeks ago will be a false dawn.

Both drivers are confident that they will be able to compete, though.

Schumacher said: “The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is all about top speed so we have worked very hard on this, especially as we know that we are not right at the top in that area. However I am convinced that we will be able to get the best out of our package.”

Rosberg added: “Our Mercedes-Benz engine will certainly be a big help on the main straight. We will have some further upgrades for the race weekend and the fact that the circuit characteristics are quite different from Istanbul Park makes me go there with high hopes. I think we might just put in a great result.”

A great result would be a podium – or two – but that relies more on there being more squabbles between team-mates ahead of them than the straight-line speed.

Ross Brawn should be satisfied with a repeat performance from Turkey – being the best of the rest.