Rosberg gutted as Mercedes falters
26 June, 2010
Nico Rosberg not happy with progress at Mercedes GP
Jun.26 (GMM) Nico Rosberg’s face was thunder in Valencia on Saturday after qualifying just twelfth.
Nico perhaps pondering the fact that he was not long ago a regular podium contender
Although quicker than his famous teammate Michael Schumacher, the young German had been hopeful that a big package of upgrades for the W01 car – including a Red Bull-style exhaust layout – would pull Mercedes to the front.
“This is just as bad as Montreal,” Rosberg told German television Sky.
“It’s a huge disappointment, because it was said that our season is just beginning here. Our aero package did not function in the way it should have.
“We are not going backwards, but we’re not going forwards. That’s the problem.”
Nico celebrates his birthday on race day in Valencia
There were rumours prior to Valencia that this upgrade package was a final roll of the dice before team boss Ross Brawn switches the team’s entire focus to 2011.
“We are pushing very hard to develop the car and sometimes in pushing so hard, you trip over,” he said on Saturday. “We need to reflect, assess and see what our next steps should be.”
According to triple world champion and famous German-language pundit Niki Lauda the time is nearing for Mercedes to write off the 2010 season. That is his opinion after watching both Silver Arrows fail to qualify in the top ten at Valencia.
Nico during practice in Valencia
“At some point, maybe in two or three races, one should say ‘stop, let’s get on and build a car for next year,” Lauda said on German television Sky on Saturday.
Team boss Ross Brawn said after qualifying that Mercedes needs to “reflect, assess and see what our next steps should be”.
But Mercedes’ competition chief Norbert Haug said that does not mean the German team is giving up.
“We will certainly not give up on improving our package as we have done continuously since the season began but our competitors have been doing the same,” he said.
Related posts:
- Vettel leads Red Bull stampede to take pole
- Schumacher criticism continues in Valencia
- Mercedes deny Kubica link rumours
- Practice 1: Rosberg heads McLaren duo
- European GP: Mercedes GP preview
