We came, we saw, they conquered. That’s is installed in the minds of Mercedes GP Petronas drivers Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher as they finished the Monaco Grand Prix in seventh and twelfth places respectively yesterday, following an action-packed race around the Monte Carlo streets.

The Monaco Grand Prix is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world. And it was important for Mercedes GP Petronas to make a good impression. Rosberg started from sixth and Schumacher from seventh place on the grid, hoping their position will elevate their rankings.

But Lady luck didn’t shine on them as they had their share of bad moments during the race. Rosberg has a clear track but was not in the right place and got stuck behind a slower car. Schumacher subsequently received a 20 second time penalty from the stewards after the race.

On a positive note, the crew did an excellent job on the pit stops and the team is very delighted with their performance. The team will be preparing for the next race in Turkey and hopefully can develop a performance in Istanbul in two weeks time.

Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing said on a report that Mercedes GP is doing okay but it will be a three team battle of McLaren, Ferrari and his team, Red Bull. The three teams have shown consistency and reliability at the first 3 races.

“I think Ferrari and McLaren are very strong – clearly it’s three teams already. Mercedes are doing okay but it’s Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull who are the most consistent at the moment in terms of pace.”

The three teams that Webber mentioned have won a grand prix. Ferrari was able to grab P1 and P2 finish in Bahrain and also a P1-P2 finish for Red Bull Racing in Malaysia.

Red Bull Racing had their share of problems like a faulty spark plug and some damage at the wheel casing but still able to deliver the precious points in the last 3 races.

“We won the last three races of 2009 and we knew we had a good car coming into this year. We’ve been very fast in Bahrain, we should have won that, but for a spark plug problem and a wheel problem for Sebastian in Melbourne. It’s just frustrating – we should have won the first two races,” Christian Horner said, He claims that if not for those problems, the team could have performed better.

Meanwhile, at the Mercedes GP camp, Ross Brawn contradicted the reports that his team is losing its contention for this season. Michael Schumacher’s comeback has given high hopes for the Mercedes fans but after his performance and mechanical problems, Schumi did not turn out to be the F1 King that we have known. He is 26 points away from his team mate Nico Rosberg. Rosberg is only 4 points away from the current leader Felipe Massa of Ferrari with 39 points and 2 points short of Red Bull Racing’s strongest contender, Sebastian Vettel. So, how can Webber conclude the fate of Mercedes GP when in fact, Rosberg has a lead of 9 points against him?

I have to agree with Ross Brawn’s comment “The title fight is far from decided.” It really is too early to tell. With the new scoring system, a loss on a race weekend could be a disaster for any F1 team. We still have 16 heart pounding races to go.

Ross Brawn also mentioned “Nico is extremely fast and has run very good races, especially in Malaysia. But with every weekend Michael is gaining more and more momentum.

“Both will get good results when we give them a car that matches their talents. Then they will be right at the front,” added Brawn.

I’m sure Brawn will deliver a proper car to his proper drivers. I believe he did his assignment and will have a strong campaign this weekend. Good luck Mercedes GP!

Nico Rosberg grabs his first podium of the 2010 season at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang International Circuit. Rosberg made their Malaysian team partner, Petronas proud by bagging 3rd place

Nico started 2nd on the grid. Unfortunately, Nico lost his position at the start but he consistently ran 3rd until the end of the race. His lone pitstop on lap 22 enabled him to gain a full second against his rival for 3rd position, Robert Kubica of Renault. The team’s strategy and excellent performance by the crew cemented his place as a podium finisher and snatching those precious championship points for Mercedes GP.

Michael Schumacher had to retire due to mechanical problems. A wheel nut from his left rear wheel came off on lap 10, forcing the seven time world champion to leave his car on the grass. Schumacher was running 6th when the unfortunate incident happened.

The Milton Keynes-based team, Red Bull Racing is back in contention. The team mates, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber got 1st and 2nd podium finish respectively. As a result, Red Bull is now placed 3rd on the Constructors’ team championship with 61 points.

In a valiant effort to defend his title, 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button of McLaren-Mercedes secured his first victory for the 2010 season in the Australian Grand Prix.

Button fought hard for top podium, having an early skirmish with Scuderia Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso which forced the reigning champion to switch to dry tires. His luck pulled through despite the wet conditions when brake failure pushed Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel off the track.

Ferrari’s tandem was outpaced this time by Renault’s Robert Kubica, who claimed second spot. Nevertheless, Felipe Massa was able to clinch third with teammate Alonso behind him in fourth.

Button’s win gives him a total of 31 points, putting him third on the Driver’s Championship standings, shortly behind Alonso who is top dog with 37 points and Massa with 33 points.

Likewise, Ferrari is the force to be reckoned with in the Constructor’s Championship, having a commanding lead over McLaren-Mercedes, whose 54 points puts them 16 points behind Scuderia Ferrari. Mercedes, meanwhile, is clinging onto third place with 29 points.

Race results:
1. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1h33:36.531
2. Kubica Renault +12.034
3. Massa Ferrari +14.488
4. Alonso Ferrari +16.304
5. Rosberg Mercedes +16.683
6. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes +29.898
7. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes +59.847
8. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth +1:00.536
9. Webber Red Bull-Renault +1:07.319
10. Schumacher Mercedes +1:09.391