Schumacher: Fuel load influenced Mercedes GP PETRONAS test performance
March 10th, 2010Michael Schumacher has told Formula One fans not to pay too close attention to the final lap times of pre-season testing as fuel loads may have played a key role in the speed of cars.
The seven-time World Champion was joined by Mercedes GP PETRONAS team-mate Nico Rosberg for testing in Valencia, Jerez and Barcelona last month ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14th.
Both drivers were focusing some of their efforts in familiarising themselves with the new MGP W01 vehicle, while Schumacher notes that the car may have been carrying more fuel than some of its quicker rivals.
Schumacher highlighted on his official website: "The car has not been completely at the level of other teams’ cars at the end of the tests, true, but the amount of fuel was massively influencing this impression.
"It seems we were driving more fuel than others most of the time and therefore we look quite good I would say. But then it is hard to judge which teams have played all of their cards yet."
Mercedes GP PETRONAS have held back some of their own upgrades for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir, with a definitive 2010 diffuser set to be witnessed for the first time.
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