Mercedes GP to Launch W02 on February 1st

After all the other championship big guns announced – more or less – their launch dates for the 2011 challengers, it was now time for Mercedes GP to do the same. According to an official statement on the team's website, the Brackley based outfit will show their W02 car on the morning of the first winter test in Valencia.

“The 2011 Silver Arrow, the MGP W02, will make its debut at the first Formula One winter test in Valencia on Tuesday 1 February,” said the statement.

According to further reports, the car will be ready for media release only minutes before the first testing session kicks off, starting with 9.20 in the morning. The low-key 'launch' will be in the form of a photo call featuring race drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, added a report from the GMM news agency.

It is also believed that Mercedes' motorsport director Norbert Haug and the team's boss Ross Brawn will also be available for interviews at that time. First thing after the car launch, the new challenger will be ready for track action at the Ricardo Tormo test venue. Following the first 3 days of testing in Valencia will be another 8 at Jerez and Barcelona, before the final test of the off-season, in Bahrain.

It has recently been confirmed that not all teams will have their cars ready by the Valencia test. In fact, one of the most expected launches of the winter, the McLaren MP4-26, will happen after the running at Ricardo Tormo, on February 4th. Additionally, another Mercedes-powered team, Force India, will also launch its VJM04 challenger after the Valencia test.