Rosberg to get first taste of 2015 Mercedes

Formula 1 runner-up Nico Rosberg will get the first run in Mercedes’ new car, the F1 W06 Hybrid, on the opening day of the Jerez test on February 1.

Rosberg will drive on the first and third days of the test, with Lewis Hamilton in action on the second and fourth days. This is a reversal of its 2014 run plan.

“The workload this winter has been as great as ever,” said Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff. “Where last year we were preparing for an all-new formula of racing, we are now faced with the big challenge of making the next step in our development.

“We know that we went into the winter with a target on our backs for the other teams - and we are certain that our rivals will be competitive from the opening race in Melbourne. So we have to focus on every detail if we want to build any advantage this year and that is what we have done.

“This is an exciting time of year as our collective efforts all come together in the new car. Everybody in Brackley, Brixworth and Stuttgart has put a great amount of effort into creating the latest Silver Arrow and I thank them for their efforts so far. We are excited to see how the car performs when it begins running.”