Michael Schumacher is hopeful that his Mercedes will have strong race pace on Sunday after he secured his best qualifying position since his return to F1.
The German will start third behind the McLarens, but if his and his team-mates Australian race pace is anything to go by, maintaining third will be near impossible.
However, Schumacher says he’s chosen a set-up that should work well in race conditions.
“We have done a decent job. We have learned a lesson in Australia, reacted and the boys in factory have done a great job so I am looking forward to tomorrow,” he said.
“I feel good about it and we have chosen a car that should work better in the race – that is the situation that I hope will play out tomorrow.”
Schumacher believes the teams qualifying pace proves they’ve made a big step forward on last season, but there is work still to do.
“It is quite an achievement to see who is behind us,” he said. “We still have to catch up a bit.
“We are reasonably close, not miles away like we were last year so it is up to us to have a good development programme, work methodically and stay focused and let’s see what the season will bring us.”
