Nico Rosberg completed exactly 100 laps of the Circuit de Catalunya today as Mercedes began their final pre-season test session in Barcelona.
The team were running a new exhaust package and new bodywork and, although the components performed as expected, a bodywork problem brought their day to a premature end.
“It was nice to get the first of our upgrades on the car today, and to feel their potential,” said Rosberg, who finished the day eighth on the timesheets. “Thanks to everyone at the team for their hard work as I think we have some impressive developments, even though we couldn’t test or show the full performance today as not all of the elements are on the car and working together yet.
“We had glimpses that showed that the full package should be a big step. The bodywork problem cost some time at the end, however we still learned a great deal.”
Michael Schumacher will be in the car tomorrow and Friday before Rosberg returns to testing duties on Saturday.
