Mercedes Future Plans - A Black Cap & Driver Line Up

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Driver Lineup
There had been rumours that while Nico Rosberg is linked with a switch to a top 3 team, Michael Schumacher might end his formula one comeback at the end of 2011. But -

“We thought we would be right at the front this year,” German Nico Rosberg told Bild newspaper in a joint interview with Schumacher. “But this is also an exciting situation, to build together a successful future. Sitting in the Silver Arrow is an honour and the thought of winning in one is something special. It is worth it to be patient,” he said.

Seven time world champion Schumacher was also asked for how much longer his pairing with 26-year-old Rosberg will last. “I can’t say. But, anyway, I’ll be here next year.”

Added Rosberg: “I would like to repeat myself that I feel very, very happy here. But I never talk publicly about contractual issues.”

It also seems likely that the driver pairings at top-3 teams Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull will remain static for a near-unprecedented third consecutive season in 2012.

With all this, it seems that the two German drivers will continue to stay at Mercedes in 2012 as well. To make it again a complete Mercedes team.

A Black Cap

Michael Schumacher will mark the twentieth anniversary of his formula one debut with a special black cap.

Next month, when the German arrives at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit, it will be precisely two decades since he made his debut for Jordan at the 1991 Belgian grand prix.

A report in the Hamburger Morgenpost said Schumacher, now 42 and the record holder of seven titles and 91 wins, will mark the occasion with a special black cap.

It will feature gold stitching for his sponsor DVAG and his autograph and gold laurels on the peak.

"Michael wanted to deliberately make no reference to any of his three teams - Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes - but instead do something that represented him as a driver," said spokesman Markus Schell. Schumacher's first Dekra-branded cap was black.

Meanwhile, the German grand prix this weekend will be the first time Schumacher races through the turn 8-9 section at the Nurburgring since it was renamed in his honour." Obviously I would like to believe that this is not only making me proud, but also even faster," he said.