Difficult season making Mercedes ‘grumpy’

Norbert Haug has admitted that Mercedes might line up on the 2011 grid with some new employees.

“In 2011 we will make a step forward. So we need to have the best possible staff, which may include some new people,” he is quoted by the Cologne newspaper Express.

But amid rumours it might be Ross Brawn or Michael Schumacher who depart, the Mercedes competition director insisted the famous duo are actually going nowhere.

“In 2011 the drivers are Michael and Nico Rosberg,” Haug announced.

“And we believe in Ross and his team,” added the German, amid rumours of tension between Brackley in the UK and Mercedes GP’s German side.

“We just know what victory feels like, so perhaps we are sometimes a bit grumpy,” said Haug, explaining the apparent tension in the paddock at present.

One answer might be to plough more money into the team, or make a big offer for a high profile signing like Adrian Newey.

“Of course we could put another 10 million euros into F1, but we don’t want to,” said Haug.

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