Mercedes targeting zero-defect reliability

The 2012 season has so far been a mixture of elation and misery for the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 team, after they stormed to their first victory at the Chinese Grand Prix since 1955, yet they have also been plagued with reliability issues.

Michael Schumacher has been hit the most with these issues, and has retired due to gearbox, fuel pressure and hydraulics related issues throughout 2012. The 7-time World Champion has only managed to score two World Championship points so far, whereas his team-mate Nico Rosberg has finished every race so far, scoring 67 points along the way including his maiden Grand Prix victory. Regardless of the disappointing results, Michael Schumacher has remained confident in his team.

“Our entire focus is now on the race in Valencia, and I am sure that everybody’s motivation is even stronger because the weekend in Canada didn’t go as well as we had hoped.” Explained Michael Schumacher, “Our motto in the last few days has been to roll our sleeves up and focus on the job in hand; everybody in the team has taken that approach to heart, so we can travel to Valencia in an optimistic mood.”

Mercedes’ team principal Ross Brawn is hopeful that his team can bring both cars to the finish, without any reliability issues. The aim within the team is to achieve zero-defect reliability, which would then greatly assist the team in their Championship chances come seasons end.

“The performance of our car and our tyre management were generally good in Canada, however our competitiveness was compromised by reliability problems and mistakes.” Said Ross Brawn, “This is a disappointment that is deeply felt by everyone in our team, and we have been working hard to ensure we understand the reasons and deal with them. Achieving zero-defect reliability is our highest priority. The opportunities available if we can give both drivers a reliable car and a clean weekend are clear.”

Michael Schumacher has yet to step onto the podium since making his return to F1 in 2010, and is under threat of becoming the number two driver to Nico Rosberg. If Schumacher fails to achieve decent results in the next few races, team orders could begin to favor Rosberg as the 26-year-old battles for the Championship.

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