From GMM
Ross Brawn talks about Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, while Dieter Zetsche talks about having a "number 1" driver at Mercedes GP. Ross Brawn, who also worked alongside Schumacher as technical director during title-winning tenures at Benetton and Ferrari, doubts Michael could win first race back. He said "time is short" for the 41-year-old to reacclimatise to F1 following a three-year retirement. To the German newspaper Bild, the Briton said: "I don't think Michael can win the first race. He will need a few races to become accustomed to these cars and the many new drivers. But then I hope to see the famous Schumi. That was always his strength: to adapt and learn incredibly quickly." He said he senses a "more relaxed" Schumacher to the one that hung up his helmet at the end of his final championship attempt in 2006. "Formula one was a burden for him in late '06," Brawn said. "Not the driving, but everything else. He felt stressed, but that feeling is gone now." The team boss confirmed, Nico Rosberg will give the 2010 Mercedes GP car its maiden outing at Valencia on February 1. "Nico will drive the new car first. That is the way we planned it from the outset, even before Michael (Schumacher) came to the team," says Ross Brawn. Michael Schumacher will also drive at the first test of the pre-season. Nico Rosberg insists there will be equality between the teammates. To the French newspaper La Tribune, Nico Rosberg says: "It is natural that the interest is different for someone who is a seven time world champion. But everyone is making an effort to put us on a footing of equality. Obviously the closeness of Ross Brawn to Michael made me dubious but I have spoken with Ross and now I'm sure there will be no difference between us. That is the philosophy of Mercedes and something that is very important," Nico Rosberg added. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, however, Daimler and Mercedes-Benz chairman Dieter Zetsche seems to not necessarily agree. Dieter Zetsche has not ruled out Michael Schumacher being the 'number 1' driver at Mercedes GP. "For these decisions, we have a team boss, Ross Brawn, who is one of the best," he told the Italian sports newspaper. "He will decide what is best in terms of the drivers," Dieter Zetsche added at the Detroit Motor Show.
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