Mercedes apologise for Melbourne failures

Engine supplier Mercedes-Benz have publicly apologised to McLaren for letting them down at the Australian Grand Prix. Mika Hakkinen had been leading team mate David Coulthard when both engines failed in quick succession

Mar 25, 2000, 7:15 PM

However, the head of the Mercedes F1 programme, Norbert Haug, said the manufacturer believe they have cured the problem that sidelined both cars.

After four trouble-free practice sessions at Interlagos there was every
sign that he was right.

"The reason that the car broke down in Melbourne was a broken filter in the [pneumatic valve] compressor," he said.

"We have fixed that and the car went well in testing at Silverstone.

"We also did a lot of dyno runs [on the test bench] so that problem should be under control - but I also said that before Melbourne.

"In motor racing you can never get rid of 100 per cent of your problems.

"It was a shame it happened and I have apologised to the whole team.

"After so much testing it is something that should not have happened and in the last 30 races it is something that has happened too often to us."