F1: Schumacher Optimistic After Topping Times

Formula 1

F1: Schumacher Optimistic After Topping Times

Michael Schumacher laid down the quickest lap in a rainy FP2 at Melbourne...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted March 16, 2012 Melbourne (AUS)

Michael Schumacher maneuvers his Mercedes around the Albert Park circuit. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Michael Schumacher started the 2012 season in the best possible way by topping the times in FP2 in Australia – having been beaten only by the McLarens in the first session.

Although there was only a brief dry window at the end of the slower FP2, and drivers were running different programs, there were nevertheless signs that Mercedes is at least in the hunt.

“Today was a nice start into a hopefully exciting season, and certainly two promising sessions for us,” Schumacher said. “However, I would not go so far as to speak about being confident, as the weather conditions were too mixed to gain a clear picture.

“We know what Friday sessions are for and don't know what fuel loads others were running. On the other hand, it is good to see that we were competitive in different circumstances today and that the car provides good handling — I just feel it.”

Meanwhile, team principal Ross Brawn was equally cautious.

“It's obviously been a patchy day with the weather conditions,” he said. “However, we have achieved a reasonable amount of work on varying fuel levels. Whilst the overall picture is still not clear, Michael and Nico (Rosberg) seem quite happy with the cars at the end of today's two practice sessions.

“Tomorrow should see a dry morning, and we will start to get a better perspective. Everything ran smoothly today, which is a tribute to the team, and everyone at our factories in Brackley and Brixworth has done a very good job to prepare for this first race. So far at least, it's going well.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.