Second Time's a Charm: Mercedes GP unveils its new W02 Silver Arrow

[Bill Wood]

Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

Mercedes GP W02 - Click above for high-res image gallery

What the heck happened to Mercedes GP last season? The team showed at least as much promise as the three (Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull) that out-paced it at every turn - with Michael Schumacher coming out of retirement to drive for the defending championship team now backed by full factory support - but barely proved capable of keeping pace.

This could be our answer right here. When Brawn and company realized their transitioning team wasn't capable of mounting a serious challenge for the title, it shifted focus mid-season from the W01 they were using to the new W02 for this season. It was the same sort of strategy Brawn undertook when the team was still under the Honda name, and it netted both titles the following year.

Can the new W02 follow the same path? Is it better suited (along with the new Pirelli spec tires) towards Schumacher's driving style? Or will wingman Nico Rosberg prove capable of getting the better of him once again? Only one way to find out, and we'll all be watching. In the meantime, follow the jump for the full press release and the images in the gallery below.


Gallery: 2011 Mercedes GP W02



[Source: Mercedes GP]Continue reading Second Time's a Charm: Mercedes GP unveils its new W02 Silver Arrow

Second Time's a Charm: Mercedes GP unveils its new W02 Silver Arrow originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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02-03-2011 07:59 PM