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Mercedes targets race wins in 2010

ESPNF1 Staff
July 12, 2010 « 13th team must pay £16m deposit | »
Nico Rosberg finished a strong third at Silverstone © Sutton Images
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Buoyed by Nico Rosberg's podium finish in the British Grand Prix, Mercedes GP CEO Nick Fry believes the team will soon be in a position to compete for race victories this season.

"To get a top three constructors' we have to aim for podium finishes, including winning," Fry told AUTOSPORT. "I think there is plenty of opportunity. We have two great drivers and I think the strategy is always strong, the pit stops have invariably been the best or one of the best, and the car is a reasonable one."

Mercedes encountered troubles after rushing to get its blown diffuser ready for Valencia but Fry says a more conservative approach at Silverstone has enabled the team to move forward.

"I think this is a good result because really we've been a little bit more conservative here. Valencia demonstrated to us that you can push a little bit too hard. We tried to put stuff on the car that clearly didn't work and then we had to backtrack, and we ended up with a very chaotic weekend.

"There was a deliberate strategy here of back to basics - refining what we had in Valencia, making it work properly, and having a solid strategy. The car may not be the quickest but it is not far off. To get a podium with Nico is very rewarding and a good lead into Hockenheim."

Fry still believes that a top three finish in the constructors' standings is within the team's reach and that means closing the gap on Ferrari, still 39 points ahead.

"Our objective is clearly to still be in the top three in the constructors'. I would be disappointed if we can't. That doesn't mean that we will throw caution to the wind and not focus on next year, because we are aware that this car has got some inherent issues which can only be resolved with next year's car.

"But while we want to get working on that, on the other hand, a top three in the constructors' will be a good springboard to a better year next year."

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