The winner that foretold F1's new era
The first of the new-era Silver Arrows to hit its target, winning the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix and laying the foundations for world domination a few years later...
Words Stewart Williams
Mercedes returned to Formula 1 in 2010 after a 55-year break, to high hopes all round. They took over the champion Brawn GP team and lured seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher out of retirement to join the talented Nico Rosberg. Now all they needed was a car to make them winners again.
In truth, this long-awaited comeback didn’t bear fruit straight away, with only three podiums for Rosberg in 2010, and none at all in 2011. Despite their hugely experienced staff and the advantage of having their own engine plant in nearby Brixworth, it was time to step performances up a notch.
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