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Lack of simulator cost Schumacher in 2010

ESPNF1 Staff
January 2, 2011 « Brawn plays down speculation over his future | »
Lots of tyres in the Mercedes garage at the Turkish Grand Prix, but none to Michael Schumacher's liking © Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher struggled in 2010 because of a lack of a top Formula One simulator, according to Mercedes boss Ross Brawn.

Brawn said Schumacher's battle to get up to speed was caused in part by him not being able to get the feel of his new car and its tyres.

"He would have been able to work much more on the behaviour of the tyres," Brawn said. "That we don't have a top simulator was certainly not a help. We should make a big step with it over the winter. This technology can't be bought on the market."

But he admitted the situation would be no different in 2011 as the team's simulator is still being built and would not be ready before the end of the year, but added Schumacher could benefit from the switch from Bridgestone to Pirelli tyres.

"They are different tyres," Brawn said. "When there was the change from Michelin to Bridgestone a few years ago, many drivers had problems, including top guys like [Fernando] Alonso. The change to Pirelli will be similar and whether it plays into the hands of [Nico] Rosberg or Schumacher is difficult to predict."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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