They were once dominant but their third incarnation seems destined to be less successful this year
In a haircut Perfectly groomed with a Brylcreem sheen ensuring there's hardly a hair out of place, this is the sort of team that you take home to meet your mum in order to reassure her that Formula One is an entirely wholesome pursuit. Though it's not all about appearances: once they slapped the three-pointed star on what was Brawn GP something was lost.
End-of-term report The staff were all surprised when Michael returned to school, despite the fact that he originally left several years ago and had earned a brilliant first from Oxford and become a successful entrepreneur before retiring to Swiss tax exile. Of course that aggressive streak we all remember has not quite gone away ? at one point last year he almost barged a fellow student into the wall of our long straight corridor. Needs more focus.
In the rear-view mirror Mercedes won the title with Juan Manuel Fangio in 1954 and 1955, only to give up Formula One for 38 years. They dipped their toe back into the water by providing engines to Sauber and then McLaren in the 90s and jumped right in with the purchase of Brawn in 2009.
Fuelled by With an estimated annual spend of �140m, Mercedes now pours more money into Formula One than any other car company.
They predict "I think we have every reason to believe that we have a car that will make a big step forward compared to last year's," says the man in charge of all Mercedes motorsport, Norbert Haug. Yes, Norbert. A bullish Schumacher added: "I am very confident this season we will be standing on the podium much more regularly ? ideally in the middle."
We predict They dominated in the 1930s and repeated the trick in 1954-55 but their third incarnation seems destined to be less successful this year.
Gesture politics You're most likely to see Schumacher's angry finger of blame pointed at anyone but himself after a collision. Elsewhere we may never know what goes on in the bowels of the Mercedes motorhome or the boardroom back in Germany but Haug will be wanting answers in one that will cut the mustard in the other. From the outside it will be business as usual.
A full and proper coalition? Schumacher will not have taken well to being out-driven by his young compatriot, having announced of their relationship last year ? with notable lack of enthusiasm ? that: "I do not expect anything else but for it to be fine."
Adapt to survive This team took their first steps as British American Racing in 1999, spent their ugly duckling years as Honda, blossomed into the magnificent, championship-winning Brawn and swiftly transformed to Mercedes ? they've reinvented themselves more often than Madonna and they are no less willing to change their car ? the W02 looks not a bit like last year's model.
Driving force Ross Brawn ? part designer, part engineer, part alchemist, Brawn was the brains behind Schumacher's seven titles and Button's one. Paid handsomely by Mercedes to take over his team.
Pimp that ride Given Schumacher's ability to nark rivals with his gung?ho ways, one of those "Do you like my driving?" stickers so common on haulage lorries would probably get some responses.
On the stereo The Human League ? big a long time ago, though you can still catch them on reunion tours.
The drivers
1. Michael Schumacher, 42, Germany
Under the helmet
Seven championships, 91 wins, 267 grand prix starts. Only the last of those three numbers is going to keep going up. May be doing wonders for the Mercedes marketing department but no longer really contributing on the track.
Behind the wheel
As ruthless as ever ? just ask Rubens Barrichello ? but appears to be no longer as fast as he once was. Needs a big year.
Pits and pieces
Schumacher turned down the chance to play for San Marino double-winners Murate in the 2008 Champions League. The 42-year-old Brazilian striker Rom�rio, another target, also said no and the team lost 4-1 to Finland's Tampere United in the first qualifying round.
Sample tweet
None
2. Nico Rosberg, 25, Germany
Under the helmet
How good is he? Very hard to judge. About time he started winning after five seasons in Formula One but can Mercedes give him the car that Williams could not?
Behind the wheel
Fast and consistent and Ross Brawn rates him up there with the very best ? and he should know.
Pits and pieces
Was offered a place at Imperial College, London, to read for a degree in aeronautics. Nicknamed Britney by his fellow drivers because of his long blond hair and flawless complexion. He soon got a haircut.
Sample tweet @nico_rosberg
"Berlin fashion week for merc.Crazy world! met topmodel karolina kurkova. Cool girl+saw mega new merc CLS AMG hopefully my next company car."
Team details
Debut France 1954
Grands prix 31
Wins 9 Poles 8
Constructors' titles 0
Drivers' titles 2
Based Brackley
Team principal Ross Brawn
Technical director Bob Bell
Celebrity driver: Indiana Jones
Hoary old hero coming back a considerable amount of time since last tasting success
Brawn Welcome to Brackley, Dr Jones. This is where the team is based.
Jones Can I take a look around?
Brawn Of course. Be my guest.
Jones Fascinating! Incredible!
Brawn What is it?
Jones I think I've just found evidence of an ancient and glorious civilisation that seems to have died out long ago!
Brawn I think you'd better leave.
Title odds
9-1
The car, W02
Engine Mercedes-Benz
Tyres Pirelli
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/mar/21/f1-2011-team-guide-mercedes
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