Mercedes

Blitzkrieg!

Mercedes had supplied engines to the Ross Brawn headed team for the 2008 season, powering them all the way to the top of the Constructors Championship. Brawn GP stormed its way through the 2009 season, accumulating up valuable points and acclaim. Ross Brawn entered his team officially on the 17th March 2009, and in the first race of the season, the Australian GP, racked up the top row of the grid in qualifiers and went on to bag the 1-2 finish. The result was not a flash in the pan, as Brawn GP continued its top class performance through the season, upsetting the usual monotony of the McLaren-Ferrari dominance. At the end of the season, Brawn GP stood tall, having won, both, the Constructors and the Drivers Championship (Jenson Button).

Mercedes then took over the team in December 2009, in partnership with Aabar Investments at a reported £110m for a 75.1% stake. Ross Brawn in partnership with Nick Fry will hold on to the remaining 24.9%. Mercedes GP had previously competed in the Formula 1 for two seasons, 1954-55, and had been quite successful. Jaun Manuel Fangio and Sterling Moss were in the driver's seat, steering the Mercedes GP team to the Championship wins. The team withdrew after the 1955 season, and, was not a part of the F1 scene till the 1993 season when they supplied engines to Sauber. Then they went on to buy a small stake in McLaren, whilst supplying the engines to them. The partnership won three Drivers Championships and one Constructors Championship. Mercedes has also supplied engines to 2009 Championship winners Brawn GP and new entrants Force India.

The hottest new entrant on the grid for 2010 was the comeback kid, Mercedes GP. After a 55 year absence from the Formula 1 racing circuit, Mercedes took over Brawn GP's 75.1% stake and renamed it to Mercedes GP. Mercedes has been supplying engines to teams, and also has a minority stake in McLaren, but this was the first time since 1955 that Mercedes has pitted it own team. Nico Rosberg and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher were in the driver's seat with Ross Brawn as Team Principal.

High were the expectations from the team; not just because Ross Brawn is Team Principal but also because seven time world champion Michael Schumacher was behind the wheel. The team was unable to recreate the success of Brawn GP and Michael Schumacher finished a disappointing 10th.

There is still hope for Mercedes GP. A new season and new regulations means a renewed chance at the title. But only time will tell if the team can win back the respect Brawn GP earned.