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'Robust development plan' for Mercedes

Mercedes topped the timesheets at the Barcelona test © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Ross Brawn
• |
• Nico Rosberg
• |
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Ross Brawn insists Mercedes is better placed to develop its car in 2011 than it was last year.

Mercedes finished a distant fourth in the 2010 constructors' title after long battles getting its F-duct and blown diffuser to work. These areas of development sapped resources during the mid-season and the car never looked like a true match for the front runners.

However, with a clean slate for 2011, team principal Brawn is confident his team will not come unstuck this season.

"Our ability to react strongly has improved considerably over the past twelve months and we have a robust development plan in place for the season," he said. "2011 will be the second season with our drivers, Michael and Nico, and this continuity, together with our well-established relationships, has enabled both the drivers and team to prepare well for the challenges ahead.

"Our pre-season programme has gone as well as we could have wanted," he said. "However, as always, the first race will be the real measure of where we are in terms of competitiveness. Everyone is eagerly waiting to see how the grid shakes out in Melbourne, and wherever we find ourselves, we will respond accordingly."

Michael Schumacher is also pleased with Mercedes' pre-season testing, after setting the fastest time at the final test in Barcelona. The car has already received some significant developments since its launch, but Schumacher insists Mercedes will not stand still.

"We are well prepared," he said. "All of the hard work over the winter will start to come together over the first few races and then we will know more about the position we are in, and what still needs to be achieved as Formula One never stands still of course. I feel very 'at home' with the team after one year of working together and this experience has really benefited our pre-season preparations."

Team-mate Nico Rosberg said his initial impression was that the car would be more competitive than last year.

"We're in good shape," he said. "The team and car have progressed a lot over the winter, we're pleased with the performance from our upgrades and the car is handling well. Our aim is to make a good step forward from last season and I am confident that we will be able to achieve this."

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