Haug’s unrealistic aims no help to Mercedes
The Hungarian Grand Prix is rarely a thrilling spectacle, so Mercedes will feel right at home in their less-than-spectacular season.
Silverstone and Hockenheim were the races that meant the most to the Silver Arrows but now they are consigned to the history books it is time to look towards 2011, where Michael Schumacher can challenge for an eighth World Championship and Nico Rosberg his first if they are given a good car.
The factory at Brackley will be shut-down for two weeks for the summer break, giving the employers a rest but they would be better off starting work on next year to get a jump on their opposition.
Hockenheim saw the team finish where they deserved to, but Mercedes-Benz boss Norbert Haug was not satisfied. In his press release he simply stated:
“Our team wants to achieve a better result than we managed at the Hockenheimring, the home race of Mercedes-Benz”.
Obviously they ‘want’ to perform better, but it is an unrealistic aim and the team can do without the extra pressure. They should keep the expectations down and get to the end of the season still in fourth-place.
The Hungaroring is a track where qualifying is crucial and that is a discipline Mercedes have struggled at recently.
Last weekend Schumacher failed to make Q3 while Rosberg only managed ninth. The same result on Saturday again will not be good enough for Haug.
Even if McLaren struggle, as is expected, they should still have enough to see off Mercedes. Mercedes could even out-qualify them, but the Mercedes would have too much pace on the mast straight, the best place for overtaking.
They just haven’t been strong enough all year to compete at the front and fourth-place in the Constructors’ Championship is as good as it will get for them this year.
Hungaroring is another track Schumacher has a superb record at. His performance in 1998 was one of the truly great drives in F1 history. He’ll have to produce something similar to fight for a podium. It is more likely Rosberg will be the one challenging, but don’t hold your breath. It will take some monumental cock-ups from the three leading teams for Mercedes to be anywhere near the podium.
The most important thing for them is beating the Renault of Robert Kubica.
Loading ...
Leave a Comment