Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher says that he and the team are prepared to work hard to ensure that the team's new car is competitive, saying that he was "eager to fight again" nearer the front of the Formula One field.
The Mercedes squad unveiled their new car at the Circuit de Catalunya on Tuesday morning, ahead of the second pre-season test of the season.
Since returning to the sport in 2010, Schumacher has endured two frustrating years with the German marque, but he said that he was as fired-up as ever to make 2012 a success.
"I have done quite a few roll-outs and launches of new cars, but even after all these years, I must say it still feels special," he beamed having hoisted the sheets off the new car.
"Days like this are precious moments, as they are always filled with hope and anticipation."
He added: "Already last week, when we were driving the F1 W03 for the very first time, it instantly gave us good feedback and sensations.
"Starting today, we will work intensively to make it a competitive runner.
"For my part, I am eager to fight again, looking forward to the new season, and I can't wait for it to begin."
Team mate Nico Rosberg, who will drive the W03 on the second and fourth days in Barcelona, after Schumacher takes the reins on Tuesday and Thursday, added that he was looking forward to seeing how the W03 stacked up against the competition.
"We have had a good start to our 2012 testing programme, and it was a great feeling to drive the first laps in the new F1 W03," he smiled.
"The car looks good, and is very nicely packaged under the bodywork – all the parts are in harmony, which reflects how well the different departments of our team are working together.
"From the beginning of our running, we have been able to focus on understanding the car and making good progress with our test programme.
"It will be very interesting to learn more about where we stand in the next few weeks."
Meanwhile, Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug suggested that the team was "building up" towards the front of the 2012 grid.
He admitted that it would be "quite a task" to beat the teams ahead of them, but said he was sure the new car was a step towards the front.
"We are in the building up process," he wheezed, "We have been two times fourth in the last two years and our ultimate goal is to move up the ladder and go in the ultimate direction of first place.
"It takes time and a lot of effort, but we are working very hard and ultimately we can achieve it."
He added: "We want to climb up the ladder. To beat Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren-Mercedes is quite a task, but ultimately we want to achieve that.
"We are still a young team, we need to learn and I think our learning process is underway. My feeling is we are heading in the right direction."
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
