Schumacher to test out new Mercedes
Record world champion Michael Schumacher will drive the first laps in the new Mercedes Formula One car next week in Barcelona, the team said on Tuesday.
Mercedes said that Schumacher will get into the Mercedes F1 W03 car on February 21 at the Circuit de Catalunya a few minutes after it is to be officially unveiled.
The seven-times champion will test the car on February 23 as well, while teammate Nico Rosberg will drive on February 22 and 24.
Mercedes were the only team to start pre-season testing last week in Jerez with a 2011 model, saying they wanted to develop the 2012 model as long as possible before the rollout.
A third and final round of testing is scheduled for March 1-4 in Barcelona, ahead of the March 18 season-opener in Australia.