Norbert Haug is certain that Mercedes will win again in Formula One, after a disappointing 2010 campaign.
Despite enjoying success on four occasion, as engine supplier to McLaren, the German Manufacturer’s works team has so far failed to triumph in 2010.
As a result, the Brackley-based outfit only lie fourth in the constructors’ championship – 180 points off leaders Red Bull.
However, the Mercedes motorsport boss believes that the team is still more than capable of turning things around.
“Of course, as we have often explained, we are not where we want to be, but in a way that’s the name of the game in Formula 1 very often,” Haug is quoted by Autosport as saying. “I’ve been here for quite a while and Ross [Brawn] has been here longer but most of the time you spend improving and chasing the others.
“And this team has the expertise, having won the world championship last year. Currently we certainly not good enough, that is very clear, but I’m absolutely convinced that we need some time and that we can really improve and make the best out of the situation.
“All of us want to win rather than make up the numbers, that’s for sure. But if you look at our history since our first victory in the new era of Formula 1, we’ve almost won every third race so far and we are going to come back to that rhythm, I’m sure.
“Ross and the team know what they are talking about. It’s very clear that they had a world championship campaign last year and they very much concentrated on that and still we do not have a bad car but things don’t always fit together always 100 per cent, that’s my view. Sometimes you get it better, sometimes you don’t achieve your targets.
“It’s still not good enough. It’s not satisfying for us not to get to the leaders but we have been there before. We have the ingredients, we have the team, we need to concentrate, focus and we are sticking together as a team. And if you are not doing that you are very soon history.”
The German also confirmed that the team still had the full support of its board, despite its lack of success.
“We have cut down our budget dramatically,” he said. “We are still in Formula 1, while other manufactures are no longer in Formula 1, so we still think this is a great platform, so things are positive. The results are not positive.
“Sometimes a third place like at Silverstone is a little consolation, not when you want to win. But all in all I can say that we can get the job done.”
However, Haug warned that there would be changes if the team failed to turn its form around.
“Should after time not get the job done then you will change people,” Haug added. “That’s the name of the game for everybody. Look how good our company is again in the meantime.
“There was a crisis in the automobile industry and we came out out that crisis. We have record sales, we have better products than ever and I think that’s a good example.
“We can use that to come back, to develop in a better way, in a stronger way. And the guys inside the team know how to get the job done, and I think that’s important.
“If you’ve won championships and races before you know how to do it, and the most important thing you have to stick together, and that’s what we are doing.”
