Rosberg, not Hamilton, to debut new Merc

Nico Rosberg, not team newcomer Lewis Hamilton, will give Mercedes’ 2013 single seater - the W04 - its track debut at Jerez early next month.

The German squad announced on Thursday that the new car will be launched at Jerez on February 4.

On that same day - the day before official winter test action begins at Jerez - Rosberg will give the car its ’shakedown’ debut, Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports.

The short 100 kilometre test will take place with demonstration Pirelli tyres, the report added.