GreenBkk.com Mercedes GP | Abu Dhabi, Sunday: Ross “Our performance today reminds us of the little bit that we have to close down to become truly competitive, but it is within reach”

Abu Dhabi, Sunday: Ross “Our performance today reminds us of the little bit that we have to close down to become truly competitive, but it is within reach”

Race News // 13.11.2011

Nico and Michael made up one place on their grid positions in today’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to finish in sixth and seventh places respectively at the end of the 55-lap race at the Yas Marina Circuit.

After an entertaining battle between the pair on the first lap, Nico emerged ahead in P6 by the start of lap two. Nico and Michael both followed a two-stop option/option/prime tyre strategy today. Nico stopped on laps 17 and 48, with Michael coming into the pits on laps 16 and 42.

“A very lively first lap between our drivers today which was highly entertaining”, said Ross after the race. “We’ve often said that they are free to race as long as they keep it sensible, and it was good to see today. Nico had the stronger pace this evening, and his lap times during the race were quite encouraging. Our performance today reminds us of the little bit that we have to close down to become truly competitive, but it is within reach. Both Nico and Michael drove extremely well, and with good pit stops and a sound strategy, we achieved possibly the best results that we can at the moment.”

For Norbert, “sixth and seventh places for Nico and Michael are the best possible results with our current technical package, and our team has now finished in the top six rankings for the fifth time in the last seven races. These positions are certainly not our ultimate target but during the building-up time of our team, it is nevertheless positive to get the best possible results.

A big thank you to the organisers of the spectacular race here in Abu Dhabi which creates a great atmosphere and fantastic television images. In this ‘home’ race for our team, we have achieved the results that we are currently capable of, and we want to come back next year with a quicker car and a better performance for our partner and co-owner Aabar. Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton and McLaren Mercedes for their victory today, which is the 71st Grand Prix win for McLaren Mercedes

Credit: Mercedes GP Petronas Formula one Team (www3.mercedes-gp.com)