Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn has revealed that Michael Schumacher is to race an old test chassis at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Struggling seven-times champ to race test chassis in Spain
Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn has revealed that Michael Schumacher is to race an old test chassis at next weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.
The seven-times world champion, who has struggled so far on his return to Formula One, ran the chassis in pre-season testing before reverting to the car he used in the opening four races.
"It's not a new chassis per se, it's a chassis we used in testing," Brawn said on Monday.
"The one he had got damaged during the first few races and we repaired it as best we could at the races. But now we are back at base we are going to re-introduce the test chassis and he will be using that in Barcelona.
"We want to eliminate any doubt because obviously Michael has come back, he's trying to find his references and is trying to work out how to approach things," he explained.
Different tyres
Schumacher, who won all of his world titles in conjunction with Brawn at Benetton and Ferrari, has returned having quit the sport at the end of the 2006 season.
However, the 41-year-old has so far been comprehensively outperformed by team-mate Nico Rosberg, who currently lies second in the drivers' championship behind Jenson Button.
Brawn said that Schumacher's problems stem from the smaller front tyres introduced to F1 this season, which have left him struggling for grip.
"Undoubtedly these tyres are a bit different to what he's used to," he said. "Maybe, with the car and the tyres, it's not towards the way he likes to have a car which is very responsive and very sharp. We haven't been able to provide him with that yet.
"We've not had a fantastic start but we are still in there because no-one else is really dominating either. There is still plenty of opportunity."
Determined
Besides the chassis switch, Schumacher might also gain from a wheelbase increase Mercedes are making to their W01 car to improve weight distribution, with major aerodynamic upgrades also on the cards for Barcelona.
"He is so determined and you can see that in his driving," added Brawn.
"The bits where it's not quite working are not because of (lack of) skill or bravery, it's because the technique needs tuning and the car needs tuning.
"It's odd places where he's losing time and that's why we think he'll sort it out and we'll sort it out and get to where we need to."
