Mercedes GP Petronas

History in F1

Mercedes has a long tradition in motor racing, dating back to the 1930s. The company was involved in F1 racing for two seasons in the 1950s, but pulled out. Mercedes only returned to F1 racing in the 1990s, when it supplied engines to Team McLaren. For the 2009 season, Mercedes joined up with Brawn GP F1 Team, which won the Constructors’ Championship. For the 2010 season, Mercedes joined up with Malaysian Petronas as the main sponsor, competing under the Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team name.

Information

Team Mercedes GP Petronas F1 was new to F1 in 2010 and the team did exceptionally well. Winning 454 points and coming in 2nd behind Red Bull, with 498 points. The main drawbacks in 2010 were mechanical problems and hopefully, these will be ironed out for the 2011 season. Drivers remain unchanged from 2010.

Technical Details & Statistics

Team Mercedes GP Petronas F1 is using the MGP W02 chassis and Mercedes FO 108Y Engine. Mercedes is supplying engines to two other teams this season: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Force India F1 Team.

Base: Brackley (UK)
Team Principal: Ross Brawn
Main drivers: Michael Schumacher & Nico Rosberg
Engine: Mercedes FO 108Y
Chassis: MGP W02
Debut F1 Season: 2010
World Championship Titles: 0
Highest race finish: 1 (x5)
Pole Position: 8
Fastest lap times: 9

Drivers

Driver 1: Michael Schumacher

What can be said about seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher? He’s started in 269 races, with 91 wins and has accrued 1,441 career points. Schumacher drove his first F1 Grand Prix in 1991 in Belgium and has driven for Jordan-Ford, Benetton and Ferrari – 11 years with Ferrari! After winning the 2006 Italian Grand Prix, Schumacher announced his retirement at the end of the season, coming in second place in the Drivers’ Championship that season. In 2009, Schumacher tried his come-back, but had to stop due to an injury, making 2010 his real come-back with Mercedes, but with lackluster results. His highest rank was 4th in three races for the 2010 season. Schumacher says, he is back in top form for the 2011 season.

Driver Statistics:

Nationality: Germany
Date of Birth: 3 January 1969
World Championship Titles: 7
Number of Grand Prix won: 91
Pole Positions: 68
Career Points: 1,441
Podiums: 154

Driver 2: Nico Rosberg

Nico Rosberg uses his German nationality, but also holds Finnish nationality, being the son of F1 World Champion, Keke Rosberg. He joined the F1 circuit in 2004, as a test-driver for Team Williams and in 2006 as driver at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Rosberg stayed with Williams for four years and joined Mercedes in 2010. In 2010, Rosberg did well, accumulating 142 points, finishing in 7th place. He had three 3rd place finishes in 2010. Rosberg is a very talented and consistent driver, finishing a high percentage of his races and his outlook for 2011 is promising.

Driver Statistics:

Nationality: Germany
Date of Birth: 27 June 1985
World Championship Titles: 0
Number of Grand Prix won: 0
Pole Positions: 0
Career Points: 217.5
Podiums: 5