Mercedes GP raise curtain on MGP W01 (Gallery)
We may have already seen the livery, however that was only on the 2009 Brawn GP. Today Mercedes have unveiled their true 2010 challenger, the W01 to the world.
It seems that the W01 has a high, V-shaped nose similar to that seen on last year’s Red Bull, and the 2010 Ferrari F10.
Specification
| Chassis | |
| Construction | Moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure |
| Suspension | Wishbone and pushrod activated torsion springs and rockers |
| Dampers | Sachs |
| Wheels | BBS forged magnesium |
| Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza |
| Brakes | Brembo calipers |
| Brake discs/pads | Carbon/Carbon |
| Steering | Power assisted rack and pinion |
| Steering wheel | Carbon fibre construction |
| Electronics | FIA standard ECU and FIA homologated electronic and electrical system |
| Transmission | |
| Gearbox | Seven speed unit with carbon composite maincase |
| Gear selection | Sequential, semi-automatic, hydraulic activation |
| Clutch | Carbon plate |
| Dimensions | |
| Overall length | 4800mm |
| Overall height | 950mm |
| Overall width | 1800mm |
| Engine | |
| Type | Mercedes-Benz FO108X |
| Capacity | 2.4 litres |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Maximum rpm | 18,000 (maximum FIA regulation) |
| Bank angle | 90° |
| Piston bore | 98mm (maximum FIA regulation) |
| No of valves | 32 |
| Weight | 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight) |
Gallery
Images (C) Mercedes / LAT
Nick Heidfeld as Mercedes test driver in 2010?
According to Motorsport-Total.com, 32-year-0ld Nick Heidfeld will be announced as Mercedes GP’s test driver when the 2010 car is launched on Monday in Stuttgart.
Heidfeld would complete an all-German lineup at the new Mercedes team, alongside race drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.
Motorsport-Total.com quoted Heidfeld’s manager Andre Theuerzeit as saying:
“Nick wants to concentrate fully on his job as a test driver and support the regular driver with his experience.”
Heidfeld has raced in F1 169 times starting in 2000, scoring 12 podiums but never winning a Grand Prix.
Mercedes to launch on 25th January
Mercedes Grand Prix have announced that they will launch their 2010 challenger on 25th January.
The launch will take place at the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart. The car will debut at the Valencia circuit on 1st February, at the first pre season test.
The Mercedes team will race under the Mercedes name this season after purchasing reigning world champions Brawn GP.
Mercedes-Petronas RB1 launched on January 25?
According to the German newspaper Bild, Mercedes are going to launch their 2010 car on January 25th at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Unterturkheim, Stuttgart. It also says that the chassis will be named Mercedes-Petronas RB1, with RB being the initials of team boss Ross Brawn.
They also report that the returning Michael Schumacher will not drive the car until an official test on February 10 in Jerez, meaning Nico Rosberg will drive the car first.
Lauda not betting on Schumi title
Niki Lauda believes that Michael Schumacher will be competitive in his bid eighth world championship, but he is not willing to bet on it.
The 60-year-old Austrian Lauda returned successfully in the 80s to win his third and last title in 1984. He said in German newspaper Bild:
“Everything depends on the car, and at the end of last season Vettel had the best one. What is for sure is that there are many more strong drivers in the field now than in Schumacher’s last years.
“There’s no question he can keep up. But I’m betting no money.”
How will Schumi fare in 2010? Vote in our poll below:
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.Niki Lauda believes that Michael Schumacher will be competitive in his bid eighth world championship, but he is not willing to bet on it.
The 60-year-old Austrian Lauda returned successfully in the 80s to win his third and last title in ___. He said in German magazine Bild:
“Everything depends on the car, and at the end of last season Vettel had the best one. What is for sure is that there are many more strong drivers in the field now than in Schumacher’s last years.
“There’s no question he can keep up. But I’m betting no money.”
Can Schumacher keep up? Well, he certainly knows how to drive an F1 car as well as any other driver on the grid, but whether he is fit enough to be competitive at almost 41, and whether Mercedes produce a quick car are the questions which will determine Schumacher’s success.
Schumi shouldn’t have a problem with the car as it is believed that Ross Brawn started developing the 2010 car in June, just after the Turkish Grand Prix.
Do you think Schumi will be able to keep up? Vote in our poll below, or discuss it in our forum.
Mercedes to launch car in late January
German newspaper Bild is reporting that Mercedes will launch its car at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Unterturkheim, Stuttgart.
They also report Schumacher would not drive the car until an official test on February 10 in Jerez, meaning Nico Rosberg will drive the car first.
Plans for a joint car launch were scrapped because it was thought certain teams would get more coverage than others, and some teams like Lotus said that they would not have a car ready by the time of the common launch. FOTA have said they will look into the concept for 2011.
Schumacher praises Tifosi
Michael Schumacher has paid tribute to the Ferrari fans after announcing his comeback with the German Mercedes team.
The seven times world champion, who won five of his titles at Ferrari, said in a letter circulated in the Italian media:
“For 14 years I was a part of Ferrari and for 14 years Ferrari was a part of me. A sizeable chunk of Ferrari will always stay in my heart. I will always think of the warmth, the strength and the dedication I received for so many years from Italian Ferrari fans.
“I have felt welcomed by you, and I have tried to give you joy and passion when I fought on the tracks and rejoiced with you after victories.
“I have found many friends and learned a lot in the years I spent at Ferrari. I carefully observed the way to face things and have often underlined this attitude in Germany: no moaning but rather trying to see the beauty and the goodness in what’s unavoidable, and rejoicing.“Now a new chapter begins for me. I will race on the track against Ferrari with the utmost respect. I’m convinced these will be hard battles. Indeed, I’m certain Ferrari will be able to show its historical strength because I know what these guys are able to do.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me. I’d be happy if, besides the two Ferrari drivers, you’d carry on giving me a bit of your unlimited liking.”
Imagine if Schumacher denies the Prancing Horse the title in 2010 – I predict fireworks.
Brawn: New car is already better
Well, we all know Schumacher’s back and aiming for his eighth title after joining Mercedes and teaming up once again with Ross Brawn.
But what will the Mercedes car be like in comparison to the rest of the grid?
Well, Ross Brawn is clearly backing his new car after saying it’s already better than the 2009 championship winning model.
Brawn, who as been at Schumacher’s side during all his successful seasons said:
“We know that the numbers say we have a much better car. Whether it will be enough, nobody knows. But what I do know is that if it is not then we have the people here to react to make sure we are competitive.”
And on his superstar driver he said:
“I think he’s been rejuvenated, and I don’t think it is something that ever leaves you.”
My thoughts: Well, most probably like you, I’m delighted Schumacher’s back in F1, as it can only be good for the sport we love. It will be great to see how he fairs against the rest of the grid, particularly, for me, Hamilton and Alonso. I don’t doubt he’s got the speed and fitness, and given the right car he’ll be a match for anyone. But I can’t see him having it all his own way. It will be interesting to see how he reacts if he isn’t on the pace. It’s so exciting…
Schumi back in F1!
It has been subject to speculation for a long time, but I can confirm it is now true: Michael Schumacher will race in Formula 1 in 2010 for the Mercedes team, after 3 years out.
The 7 time World Champion Schumacher has been in discussions with the Mercedes team for over a month, and has finally signed a 7mill euro, 3 year contract at the new team.
The 40-year-old German will race alongside Nico Rosberg at the new Mercedes team who have completed the German ‘Superteam’ they were looking for.
Schumacher said:
“After a three-year break, I have all the energy again that I was lacking.
“The plan is for me to drive for the next three years.
“My neck is no longer a problem. Over the summer it was too soon after the accident. Now everything has healed.”
Schumi was set to come back half way through last season to replace an injured Felipe Massa, before a neck injury sustained in a motorcycling accident kept him out, although he refused to rule out a future return at that point, saying:
“From now to the end of the year, my neck injury will be healed to the point where I could drive again. I have nothing to prove to anyone, not even myself. I still slightly regret having retired three years ago but there’s no reason whatsoever for me to definitively announce that I will not come back.”
The rumours of Schumi’s possible permanent return to F1 started when his manager Willi Weber confirmed that he had spoken to Mercedes motorsport bosses at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Weber said:
“I know that Michael spoke with Dieter Zetsche and Norbert Haug at the season’s finale in Abu Dhabi.”
Then the rumour strengthened earlier this month when various media sources claimed the deal bringing him to Merc was ‘as good as perfect’.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo more or less confirmed Schumi’s desire to race again in F1 for Mercedes last week, saying:
“The real Schumacher, the one I know, will always remain in the Ferrari family. Then there’s his totally identical twin brother who seems to have the idea in his head to go and race in Formula One with Mercedes.”
Massa names his rivals
Felipe Massa has said he expects a strong challenge from three other teams in 2010.
The returning Ferrari driver has named McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes as the teams who he feels will be a threat to his title bid.
The Brazilian will be back after spending the second half of the season on the sidelines after suffering a head injury during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix – he was hit by part of the suspension from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn.
The 2008 F1 runner-up said:
“McLaren and Red Bull are the two I expect most from. But the old Brawn team can do very well as well. It’s the team which won the championship and, now that it’s been acquired by Mercedes, it can become a top level team, able to reassert itself year after year.
“The British teams are very strong, and with Hamilton and Button they have a truly competitive team. And Red Bull was the best team in the second half of the last championship.”
Massa will be keen to get up to speed fast, as he faces a tough challenge this year racing alongside new team-mate Fernando Alonso, regarded by as the best F1 driver on the grid … unless a certain Michael Schumacher returns, that is!