Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug is predicting a titanic battle for the 2012 championship following Nico Rosberg’s surprise victory in China at the weekend.
Rosberg became the third different winner in the opening three races of the season following Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button’s victories in Malaysia and Australia respectively.
Haug says this, coupled with the unpredictable tyres, strategy and performance of the cars at different circuits will likely lead to 2012 being one of the best seasons in recent memory.
“I think this could be one of the best Formula 1 seasons of all time and harder fought than ever,” said the German. “And that makes our win even more special.
“The reigning world champion [Sebastian Vettel] was little more than three tenths slower than the fastest car in second qualifying, and he had to start 11th,” he added.
“Rosberg started from pole with Vettel outside the top ten – it just goes to show F1’s power to surprise.”
Meanwhile Pirelli’s Paul Hembery is of the same opinion.
“No one can predict it, not even the experts, not even ourselves when we have all the data. I think it is almost impossible to call this year and we should be very excited for this season.”
