THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
VALENCIA, Spain — Mercedes’ hopes of turning around Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula One got off to a frustrating start Tuesday when the German team’s new car experienced problems in season-opening testing.
The 42-year-old Schumacher, a seven-time F1 champion, managed to get 14 laps in at the Cheste Circuit after teammate Nico Rosberg only did nine due to a hydraulics problem.
"A frustrating day but we got the first laps in," said team principal Ross Brawn, who dismissed the setbacks as a bad omen for the upcoming season. "I’ve had cars that take off great and then become troublesome and troublesome cars that become great so I think we need to get some more running before we know where we are."
Both Schumacher and Rosberg were upbeat as Mercedes unveiled the slick, high-gloss graphite livery it hopes will allow it to rebound from a disappointing 2010 season and make it a contender.
"We had little running but the feeling is positive," said Schumacher, who was ninth in the drivers’ standings last year as Mercedes failed to challenge champion Red Bull or closest rivals Ferrari and McLaren.
"I’m very optimistic about this, absolutely. Nothing has changed from the few laps we did today. I’m not worried in any way that we cannot meet our targets, which is hopefully podiums and victories."
Schumacher came out of a three-year retirement to compete last year. But the former Brawn GP team’s inability to match the front-runners soured the seven-time champion’s return.
Mercedes took less than half as many points as constructors’ champion Red Bull, and Rosberg had nearly double as many points as Schumacher by the end of the season. Rosberg also managed three podiums and Schumacher none.
Brawn said the MGP W02 featured "a raft of technical innovations and changes" that make it "almost unrecognizable" from its predecessor.
The former Ferrari man said numerous rule changes and the addition of the KERS power boost system left all teams in a similar condition of getting a feel for the new cars. He expected a raft of changes to all cars by the last test in Bahrain.
"I think with this car we’ve moved a good step forward and recovered a lot of aerodynamics that were lost with regulations," Brawn said. "Lots of things are coming together in the right direction. I’m comfortable we’ve made real progress."
Schumacher agreed the regulations meant it was too early to name a favourite although world champion Sebastian Vettel — the early season favourite — was quickest Tuesday for Red Bull.
"I think it’s unfair to say that for the matter of fact that there has never been in history — that I can remember — such a substantial change in tires and regulations all together," said Schumacher, who trailed Vettel’s leading time by 2.681 seconds. "I think it’s too early to name one favourite because it’s so much depending on the car. We all know Sebastian is well capable but there are some others that are well capable too."
Rosberg, who said he felt right at home in the car despite the limited running, said the experience of driving with Schumacher last season would help him for the upcoming campaign.
"I know it’s going to be difficult this year. It’s going to be a tough battle with Michael but hopefully I can be ahead again," the German driver said before dismissing the notion that Schumacher would not recover his best form. "Who’s saying it wasn’t the old Michael last year? A Silver Arrow with the seven-time champion, you always have to be wary of that."
Schumacher will have further time to prepare for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 13 with three more tests coming after Valencia.
Tuesday’s test comes after questions over Schumacher’s ability to be competitive emerged after the German driver became sick from the team’s car simulator.
Vettel said he’d been sick once in the simulator, too.
"I think it’s an important tool these days with testing more limited," the 23-year-old German driver said. "But you never get the smell, taste and the sensation of speed."
Schumacher said he’s never felt better physically.
"In physical strength I don’t have margin to improve myself because I’ve always been top level," he said.