Michael Schumacher is hoping Mercedes have learned their lessons of the past even though they head into the new Formula One seemingly on the backfoot.
Unlike all of their major rivals who have unveiled their new cars over the past few days, and are being put through their paces this week in the first pre-season test in Jerez, Mercedes are running last year's model.
Primarily it has been to evaluate the new generation of Pirelli tyres, with the new-spec car not being unveiled until the first day of the second test in Barcelona on February 21.
According to team principal Ross Brawn, the additional build time is vital for his team to hit the ground running this season.
The theory, however, is Mercedes have something up their sleeve they are eager to hide from the opposition.
Whatever car rolls out at the Circuit de Catalunya in 13 days' time, Schumacher is naturally expecting improvements.
After setting the fastest time in testing so far over the past two days with a lap of one minute 18.561secs and completing 132 laps, the seven-times champion was appreciably subjective given the car he had beneath him.
'We had a productive day. We did a lot of mileage, not just cruising around,' said the 43-year-old Schumacher.
'We did some very good work with the new tyres that we have to face this year. That was the main focus for us.
'We used the old car and know what the difference is between this year's and last year's car, trying to understand a programme.
'The tyres have changed quite a bit. Certainly they are more consistent and a lot closer to a Formula One tyre as you would expect, and what you would wish to have.
'Therefore I'm quite happy for Pirelli to have developed this well. I had a good day yesterday and today, and for a race driver that is important."
But asked as to his concerns at being four days behind the other teams, for Schumacher the main point is that Mercedes have at least eradicated the issues that have previously blighted them.
'The main point is the reliability factor," said Schumacher.
'If the car has a certain performance it will be reasonably quick, unless you have unexpected circumstances, which we have had in the past.
'We hope not to have these again, to have learned our lesson, with our programme done in a way that we believe in it."
However, when it came to assessing his title prospects, Schumacher is downplaying his chances
'Realistically, I don't think we can achieve a championship car from where we started last year,' said Schumacher.
'We have to build our way there, and I'm confident we can do that in the future, but let's take it step by step.'
Schumacher was further reminded of the fact no driver over 40 has won the F1 title since Jack Brabham in 1966.
Defiantly, he said: "Well, I'm still around to fight for the championship.
'Whether we can or cannot do it, that is something that will be proven this year, or whenever.'
Of the 2012 cars, Red Bull's Mark Webber led the way with a lap of 1:19.184secs, half a second up on the best of yesterday posted by the returning Kimi Raikkonen in his Lotus who was fifth today.
In between were Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo and Force India test driver Jules Bianchi, with Paul di Resta sixth after taking over in the afternoon and completing another 69 reliable laps.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa was seventh quickest, followed by McLaren's Jenson Button, who was 1.5secs adrift of Webber, but again it was another productive day for the Briton as he clocked up 85 laps.
Team manager David Redding said: "Despite the cold and windy conditions, Jenson was able to log further mileage with the car.
'It's still early days, and this was very much an exploratory day, but we were able to get a useful understanding of how the car behaves and reacts out on the track.
'It's satisfying Jenson's been able to complete more than 600km of trouble-free running over the past two days which puts us in a good position for the rest of the week.'
Button now hands over the reins of the MP4-27 to Lewis Hamilton for the remaining two days of the test.
Unlike all of their major rivals who have unveiled their new cars over the past few days, and are being put through their paces this week in the first pre-season test in Jerez, Mercedes are running last year's model.
Primarily it has been to evaluate the new generation of Pirelli tyres, with the new-spec car not being unveiled until the first day of the second test in Barcelona on February 21.
Setting the pace: Michael Schumacher was the fastest around the track in Jerez
The theory, however, is Mercedes have something up their sleeve they are eager to hide from the opposition.
Whatever car rolls out at the Circuit de Catalunya in 13 days' time, Schumacher is naturally expecting improvements.
After setting the fastest time in testing so far over the past two days with a lap of one minute 18.561secs and completing 132 laps, the seven-times champion was appreciably subjective given the car he had beneath him.
'We had a productive day. We did a lot of mileage, not just cruising around,' said the 43-year-old Schumacher.
Leading the way: Schumacher on the track ahead of Ferrari's Felipe Massa
'We used the old car and know what the difference is between this year's and last year's car, trying to understand a programme.
'The tyres have changed quite a bit. Certainly they are more consistent and a lot closer to a Formula One tyre as you would expect, and what you would wish to have.
'Therefore I'm quite happy for Pirelli to have developed this well. I had a good day yesterday and today, and for a race driver that is important."
But asked as to his concerns at being four days behind the other teams, for Schumacher the main point is that Mercedes have at least eradicated the issues that have previously blighted them.
Old car: Schumacher is in last season's Mercedes car with new tyres
'If the car has a certain performance it will be reasonably quick, unless you have unexpected circumstances, which we have had in the past.
'We hope not to have these again, to have learned our lesson, with our programme done in a way that we believe in it."
However, when it came to assessing his title prospects, Schumacher is downplaying his chances
'Realistically, I don't think we can achieve a championship car from where we started last year,' said Schumacher.
'We have to build our way there, and I'm confident we can do that in the future, but let's take it step by step.'
Lessons leant? Schumacher hopes Mercedes have moved on from past seasons
Defiantly, he said: "Well, I'm still around to fight for the championship.
'Whether we can or cannot do it, that is something that will be proven this year, or whenever.'
Of the 2012 cars, Red Bull's Mark Webber led the way with a lap of 1:19.184secs, half a second up on the best of yesterday posted by the returning Kimi Raikkonen in his Lotus who was fifth today.
In between were Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo and Force India test driver Jules Bianchi, with Paul di Resta sixth after taking over in the afternoon and completing another 69 reliable laps.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa was seventh quickest, followed by McLaren's Jenson Button, who was 1.5secs adrift of Webber, but again it was another productive day for the Briton as he clocked up 85 laps.
Team manager David Redding said: "Despite the cold and windy conditions, Jenson was able to log further mileage with the car.
'It's still early days, and this was very much an exploratory day, but we were able to get a useful understanding of how the car behaves and reacts out on the track.
'It's satisfying Jenson's been able to complete more than 600km of trouble-free running over the past two days which puts us in a good position for the rest of the week.'
Button now hands over the reins of the MP4-27 to Lewis Hamilton for the remaining two days of the test.
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