Mercedes drivers expect strong showing in Canada

2012 Canadian Grand Prix

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Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg reckon the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will suit their car well.

“The characteristics of the circuit should suit us, and we are counting on our car performing well there,” said Schumacher.

The track’s long straights should allow them to make the most of the Mercedes W03’s ‘Double DRS’ and good straight-line speed.

Rosberg added: “With its low downforce and slow corners, a little bit like Monza, the track should suit our car.

“We’ve made good progress over the past few weeks, and that was clear from the performance in Monaco. So I’m hopeful that we can make another step forward in Canada and have a successful weekend.”

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug said the team were aiming to have a trouble-free weekend after the technical problems which have afflicted Schumacher’s car in recent races:

“At two of the past four race weekends, Mercedes AMG Petronas had the speed to qualify and race at the front of the field. Nico has converted this competitiveness into 59 points in the past four races – the most of any driver in the field.

“Michael has suffered several technical problems and our priority is to give him a problem-free weekend in Montreal. As his fastest qualifying time in Monaco demonstrated, Michael has the speed to compete at the front.”

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    Keith Collantine
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    16 comments on “Mercedes drivers expect strong showing in Canada”

    1. They didn’t look particularly quick in the wet though. Perhaps the wet day at Mugello helped them sort it out a bit, but I think they’re praying for a dry race.

      1. I should think all the teams who have a chance at getting a good result would want a dry race… Mclaren also look strong on previous form here, winning in 2007, 2010 and 2011 (2009 wasn’t on the calendar?) and they had good pace in 2008 up until Hamilton crashed in the pitlane. I’d have my money on a Mercedes/Mclaren sweep here..

        Although you can’t count out how dominant Vettel was in both conditions during 2011’s race… I’d probably go for Hamilton/Schumi/Rosberg/Vettel/Button top 5… Maybe with the 2 Mercs swapped….

    2. Hope Schumi can win the next one, after all the botched races Merc is owing him a victory :D

    3. I am certain, they will want to both finish that race! Would be nice if the consistently get into the mix for pole positions. Schumacher was doing a fine job here last year, let’s see if he can keep that Monaco fastest time momentum going for him.

    4. Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see one of them on Pole, if not locking out the front row. Given Canada’s history of high tyre wear though, I don’t think they’ll win.

      1. Montreal is generally a bit cold. Mercedes is very conservative on it’s tyres in cooler conditions. Remember in China, when they were the last of the top teams to pit, and Rosberg was the only one to make the 2-stop strategy work?

    5. Shumi to make it 7 out of 7

      1. The 7777 will be great, 7 WDC, 7 wins in Canada, 7th driver to win, car number 7

    6. Mercedes will be very fast in Canada. The entire circuit is low to medium speed corners with lots of traction zones and and high-speed straights; and there are no real fast corners (Mercedes’s only weakness). Also, the temperatures in Canada are generally low, this would also suit Merc.

      I can’t choose between Rosberg or Hamilton for the win in Canada. Though prediction.

    7. Schumacher for the win!

    8. “Michael has suffered several technical problems and our priority is to give him a problem-free weekend in Montreal.”

      Please make that happen Norbert Haug, the guy needs a problem free race !

    9. I expect they will do well. If they don’t take pole owing to FWFD then something is up! I would love Schumacher to win. The current points gulf between them is of 2010 standards but in no way representative of his form, ignoring Barcelona.

    10. Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug said the team were aiming to have a trouble-free weekend after the technical problems which have afflicted Schumacher’s car in recent races:

      Please do so. This year, Schumacher is making Chris Amon look like Keke Rosberg.

    11. It could be great or not either. They’re good at traction(see Monaco) and long straight(China) but they’re quite weak on hot temperature. and Canada is usually very hot place unless it rains. so I think Lotus is a better guess for the team to beat because they’re good at high temp and massive speed trap records. Ferrari and Mclaren, Red Bull would be good as well.

    12. I also think Merc will be very strong in Montreal. I hope NR can secure some more serious points.

    13. Just went to two weather sources. Today, Environment Canada only goes to next Friday, and they show it being Sunny and 24C in Montreal. The weather looks nice for 2 or 3 days leading up to that as well. The Weather Network has Montreal’s weather being for Friday: High 21 low 12 with chance of thunderstorms, Sat: High 22 low 12 with cloudy periods, Sun: high 22 low 13 with isolated showers

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