Mercedes AMG F1 conducts private test

Exploiting an interesting quirk in Formula One’s testing agreement Mercedes AMG ran a full private test session with its new W03 in Barcelona yesterday. They racked up 300km of uninterrupted testing. Michael Schumacher drove in the morning and Nico Rosberg took over in the afternoon.

The W03 first turned a wheel in a shakedown and filming day at Silverstone last week (pictured above) but that was on 2011-spec Pirelli tyres. However, by choosing not to participate in the final day of testing at Jerez earlier this month Mercedes AMG were able to lock in a private test session. You have to wonder why more teams don’t do this; there’s less prying eyes and no other drivers to impede with your planned schedule.

The reasons for Mercedes AMG delaying the launch of the W03 are two-fold. First it gave them extra time with ex-Ferrari designer Aldo Costa, who only joined the team in early December. It’s also believed the team has a few details it wanted to shield from public view for as long as practical.

We’ll get a full reveal of the W03 tomorrow evening Australian time and will bring you pics and info as it comes to hand.

[Source: adamcooperf1]