MERCEDES GP PETRONAS LOOKING FOWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL SEASON

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- The Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One (F1)
team hopes for a successful season this year, said its Chief Executive Officer
Nick Fry.

"After the testing in Valencia (last week), we are making sure everything
works properly and generally we are sorting out the different systems of the
car.

"I'am very pleased to say that the feedback from the drivers was very
positive. The car was different from last year's car. We are looking foward to
a successful season," said Fry.

Fry was in Malaysia for the Petronas Motorsports 2011 campaign launching and
unveiling of the team's new car MGP W02 which made its debut at the home
ground of the team's title partner, Petronas, Monday night.

The result of twelve months of intense design and development work, the new
"Silver Arrows" car was officially launched on Feb 1 at Valencia, Spain.

On the performance of seven-times world champion, Michael Schumacher,
Fry noted that the team strongly believed that Schumacher could come back
stronger this season after his disappointing return to F1 last year.

"We are expecting Michael to win races. He is someone who is devoted to
Formula One. After one year coming back to F1 races, he has a good feeling about
the new car and we hope for a strong performance from Michael," said Fry.

Having come out of retirement, the 42-year-old Schumacher failed to reach
the podium at all in the 2010 season and his team-mate Nico Rosberg finished 70
points ahead of him in the World Drivers' Championships.

Fry added that Michael and his new engineer, Mark Slade, would be giving
their very best for a better result this season.

Slade, previously had the same job at McLaren F1 Team for Mika Hakkinen and
Kimi Raikkonen.

"I would say that both drivers (Schumacher and Rosberg) will be stronger
this year," he added.

The 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship season will kick off in Bahrain
on March 11.