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Monaco F1 Grand Prix 2012: Race Report - Nico Rosberg comes 2nd as Michael Schumacher retires

By Adji | Published Monday, 28 May 2012

Nico Rosberg converted second place on the grid into a second-place finish this afternoon at the 70th Monaco Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher retired from seventh position following a fuel pressure problem.

• Nico ran a one-stop strategy from P2 on the grid, starting on super-soft tyres and changing to softs on lap 27
• Michael was forced to retire on lap 64, owing to a fuel pressure problem that began to slow him on lap 58
• Nico has scored 59 points in the last four races, the most of any driver in the field

Nico Rosberg
“It’s a fantastic feeling to be on the podium at my home race in Monaco today in front of all my family and friends. The team have done a really good job this weekend to get the car working so well. Although we thought this track would suit our car, it’s been better than we expected. I had a clean start but Mark drove a very controlled race today. I could keep in touch with him but we all know how difficult it is to overtake around the streets here and there just wasn’t a way past. Still I’m more than happy with second place, and it’s great to get another podium for the boys here, and everyone back at Brackley and Brixworth. I can’t wait to get to Canada now and keep the momentum going.”

Michael Schumacher
“What can I say? It was simply a pity to end the race in this way. In any case, the fuel pressure problem had nothing to do with the incident at the start. But it made it doubly disappointing because I had secretly been hoping for a podium finish today. I will take the boost from the high points of this weekend with me to Canada. The track should suit us and I’m hoping to have a normal, clean race.”

Ross Brawn
“Nico ran a very good race today and did all he needed to do. I think we made the right calls but nothing opened up for us. It was a race that was about managing gaps and finding the right windows in the traffic; the team did a great job on that. Nico was the first of the front-runners to stop, but the harder tyre took a lap or two to come in and it wasn’t enough to jump Mark. As for Michael, he was hit on the run to the opening corner which cost him positions, but was very quick when a fuel pressure problem started to slow him later in the race. We tried to continue but it was costing him too much time, dropped him out of the points and forced us to retire the car. It was very disappointing because he put in a great performance this weekend and he was still on course to score useful points. We need to make sure we eliminate the problems for him, starting in Canada.”

Norbert Haug
“It was a strong race for Nico and our team, and we were in with a chance of winning until the chequered flag, but Mark did not put a foot wrong all afternoon ahead of Nico. Looking at the results today, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton - who lead Nico in the championship- all finished behind him, and this helped him close the gap at the top of the standings to 17 points. That translates to an average of fewer than three points a race separating Nico from the championship lead after six rounds of the championship. It was a pity for Michael: he clearly demonstrated this weekend that he has the speed to win races but his time will come again, like yesterday when he posted the pole position time.”

~ Official photos and report courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ~

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Posted in 2012, f1, grand prix, mbamgf1, mercedes amg petronas, monaco, race, report, sunday | Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz Bike Selection 2012 - New fitness bike: upscale cycling with Mercedes

By Adji | Published Sunday, 27 May 2012

Big wheels are all the rage in the world of bikes. Mercedes-Benz is now kicking off the new season with a "Twentyniner": the new fitness bike sports wheels with a diameter of 29 inches (including tyres). Greater traction, smoother running and enhanced riding stability are the merits of this upscale fitness bike. The high-end 2012 Mercedes-Benz Bike Selection additionally includes a full-suspension mountainbike, a comfortable trekking bike suitable for everyday use and a high-end carbon-fibre racing bike. For children, Mercedes-Benz offers a particularly variable kids' bike which can be converted into a straddler in next to no time.

Cutting-edge, innovative technology and hallmark Mercedes-Benz quality are defining features of all the products of the Bike Selection, which are developed and produced in cooperation with Hesse-based premium bicycle manufacturer ADP Rotwild.

Wheeling along big-time: so called "Twentyniners", such as the new Fitness Bike from the Mercedes-Benz Bike Selection are enjoying growing popularity. Their geometry offers a host of benefits for novices and experienced cyclists alike: Twentyniners roll over obstacles with greater ease, retain their momentum more effectively, offer better traction and are accommodating towards taller people. The new Fitness Bike adopts its predecessor's striking frame design and features high-quality components in the form of a lockable Suntour NRX-D LO suspension fork with 63 mm spring travel, Shimano Deore gears and hydraulic Shimano disc brakes. Ergon handlebar grips, a stem offering angle adjustment and the high-quality Allay saddle ensure ample comfort even on longer trips. The white/silver colour combination underscores the sporty character of this bicycle model. The fitness bike is available in three frame sizes (49 cm, 52 cm, 55 cm).

Another star of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Bike Selection is the All Mountain mountainbike, which comes into its own in off-road terrain. A Fox Racing F32 RL suspension fork and a DT M 210 Swiss fork leg, each with spring travel of 120 mm, provide for efficient and safe handling. This model features a 30-speed SRAM X.7/X.9 gear shifter and an Elixir 5 hydraulic disc brake system with 185 mm discs. DT Swiss X1900 wheels round off the functional package. The Mercedes-Benz All Mountain mountainbike weighs 12.8 kg, comes in frame heights of 47 cm, 50 cm and 53 cm.

The Trekking Bike with mudguards, luggage rack and a Busch&Müller light system including Shimano hub dynamo is a trusty companion both for day-to-day needs and on more extensive leisure outings. The attractively designed Trekking Bike is available in frame heights of 51 cm and 54 cm.

The Limited racing bike weighs only 6.9 kg, thanks to its carbon-fibre frame which is produced according to the tube-to-tube principle. The exclusive design further includes SRAM Red gear-shifting and brake components and lightweight DT Swiss RR 1450 wheels with an emphasis on plenty of drive. The racing bike is available in frame heights 49 cm, 53 cm, 56 cm, 58 cm and 61 cm in a limited edition of 100.

The Kids' Bike provides a particularly snazzy means of introducing youngsters to the joys of bike riding. Its 2-in-1 concept enables swift and simple conversion from a 16" children's bicycle into a straddler. As a straddler it makes toddlers' first attempts at riding a bicycle a particularly easy and fun experience, trains their sense of balance and makes the eventual switch to riding with pedals substantially less daunting. The Kids' Bike comes in white, red metallic and pink metallic, is suitable for children of between 3 and around 6 years of age.

The Mercedes-Benz Bike Selection also offers high-quality bike clothing and practical accessories for cyclists. These products have been developed in cooperation with renowned companies such as deuter sport, uvex, Topeak and Sigma Sport.

Further information about the Mercedes-Benz Bike Selection is available online at http://shop.mercedes-benz.de and www.mercedes-benz-accessories.com.