Michael Schumacher believes that the upgrades to the Mercedes W01 will help propel the Brackley-based team towards the front of the grid.
However the seven-times champion remains cautious about the progress made, but that it is a step in the right direction.
“The European season is about to kick off and now we will see how our developments look in relation to those of the other teams.” he said in Mercedes GP’s team preview for the Spanish Grand Prix. “Every team will come to Barcelona with a revised car and so of course do we.”
“I see a lot of potential here especially as our team has been reacting very well over the past four races. We have worked on general improvements to the car, as well as specific developments in downforce and efficiency, and I am confident that we have room to make further progress in the future.
“Our step forward in Barcelona will be bigger than you can make at each race during the flyaways but it would not be realistic to expect us to suddenly be competing right at the front. I am hoping for a better race in Barcelona than I had in China and of course I would not mind having had better results so far. However the good news is that after three years away, I am feeling extremely motivated. So I am clearly ready to take this challenge.”
Nico Rosberg is also confident that the upgrades will help keep him in the title race, as the F1 world heads into Europe.
“It’s a very nice feeling to be going into the European season with second place in the Drivers’ Championship and with a significant upgrade for our car in Barcelona next weekend.” he said “From talking to the guys at the factory, I know that they having been working really hard to get everything ready on time and it will be interesting to see the effect that the new developments have on the car.”
“Barcelona is such a familiar circuit as we have tested there so often over the years that we should be able to spend the practice sessions just focusing on getting the most out of the upgrades. Returning to Europe is when the season feels like it really gets underway and we will be doing our best to continue our good run and podium finishes from the first four races. I’m looking forward to it!”
