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Brawn targets Red Bull by mid-season

ESPNF1 Staff
June 10, 2010 « IndyCar investigating de Silvestro fire | »
Ross Brawn: "If it is worth attacking then we will do it, if not we will concentrate on 2011" © Getty Images
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Mercedes boss Ross Brawn has issued an ultimatum to his team to catch up with Red Bull and McLaren by mid-season or focus on next year's car.

After winning the 2009 title under the Brawn name, Mercedes has had a disappointing start to the season with just two podiums from seven races. It is widely regarded to be one of the top four teams in F1, but is now facing competition from Renault and has failed to significantly close the gap to the pacesetters with recent updates.

Brawn has now revealed that Mercedes has just a handful of races to close the gap, before the team abandons development of the W01 and focuses on next year's car.

"By mid-season, we must look to put the F-duct in and catch up to the top," Brawn added. "If it is worthwhile to keep attacking then we will do it, if not we will concentrate everything on 2011."

However, Brawn is not daunted by the task of catching Red Bull and said the gap will close as soon as other teams get a handle on the RB6 design and incorporate elements of it into their own cars.

"Some aspects of their car are different from all the others," he explained. "Other teams will introduce these elements in the next races. I know that everyone is looking with great interest at their exhaust system."

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