Mercedes returns to Formula One as a team in its own right having taken over the reigning World Champions. Mercedes-Benz debuted in Formula One in 1954 with immediate success as Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling recorded a 1-2 for the team. Mercedes-Benz and Fangio dominated the season and the next, Fangio taking both Driver's titles. Then, in the wake of the Le Mans Disaster in which Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh was killed along with over 80 spectators, the company withdrew from motorsport. The marque eventually returned as an engine supplier to the Sauber team before becoming partners with McLaren. Then, just as most car manufacturers where pulling out of Formula One, Mercedes took the decision to buy into Brawn GP.
And yet it's all been overshadowed by one man. It's been a roller coaster winter that in many ways mirrors Brawn's 2009 season. It was all going so well with the announcement that Mercedes would be turning the team in to the next incarnation of the Silver Arrows and then it all went a bit flat as Jenson Button headed in the opposite direction to McLaren, taking the number 1 with him. Then, finally, it all came good as a certain Michael Schumacher signed for the team. After an illustrious start to the 2009 campaign, Brawn GP rather limped over the finish line, all be it with a race to spare. The question hanging over the team is how that carries over in to 2010. Ross Brawn is adamant that the team diverted just enough finances towards staying at the top of the standings while not losing sight of the 2010 car. Yet there was a marked lack of sponsorship on a car fighting for the championship, and the worry is that Mercedes' input may have come too late to rejuvenate the team.
2009 Position: 1st, 172 Points (as Brawn GP)
Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher broke just about every record during his his spell in F1 from 1991 until he retired in 2006. However, the record that stands above all is his seven World Championships, beating the five World titles of Juan Manuel Fangio, a record that no one thought would ever be broken. Often dogged by controversy, after doing one race at the Jordan team, Schumacher drove the rest of his career at only two teams: Benetton and Ferrari. Until now.
2009: -
Nico Rosberg
Son of former World Champion Keke Rosberg, Nico Rosberg joined Formula 1 after becoming the first driver to win the GP2 title and proved in his first season that he is capable of racing with the best F1 drivers. Unfortunately, Williams failed to provide a competitive car during his four years with the team and so has finally moved on, joining the reigning World Champions. Only to find himself alongside the legendary Michael Schumacher.
THE CAR Chassis: MGP W01
Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108X
THE TEAM Chairman and Team Principal: Ross Brawn
Chief Executive Officer: Nick Fry
Technical Director: Jorg Zander
Engineering Director: Jacky Eeckelaert
Operations Director: Gary Savage
Chief Designer: Kevin Taylor
Head of Aerodynamics: Loic Bigois
Chief Engineer: Craig Wilson
Sporting Director: Ron Meadows
Test Driver: Anthony Davidson
