Schumacher to be first to test new Mercedes

Michael Schumacher will beat Nico Rosberg to the wheel of Mercedes’ 2012 car.

After the major teams unveiled and ran their new cars at Jerez last week, Mercedes’ W03 will be launched and debuted early next week at Barcelona, at the second of three pre-season tests.

The Brackley based team has announced that seven time world champion Schumacher, who last year finished 13 points behind his teammate Rosberg, will be at the wheel throughout the first day of testing on 21 February.

The 43-year-old said recently he doubts the W03 will be a title contender, despite strong pace with the 2011 car at Jerez last week.

And Rosberg said: "You can’t really compare the lap times with other teams, but it was interesting to learn a lot with our 2011 car.

"Now I’m really looking forward to the two Barcelona tests with our new silver arrow."