Mercedes GP has revealed that it will not be taking its 2012 challenger to the opening winter test next year, instead opting to wait until the following event at the Circuit de Catalunya. With the second test taking place on 21 February, the team is hoping that the decision will deliver the optimum balance between wind tunnel and track time.
"The car with which the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team will compete in the 2012 season is currently under development at the team's headquarters in Brackley, UK," read a team statement on Monday. "Codenamed F1 W03, it is planned for the car to make its official track debut at the second winter test of 2012, on 21 February at Barcelona."
"At the factory, we have been focused for some time on the challenge of 2012," added Team Principal Ross Brawn. "As always, the winter development and manufacturing processes are a trade-off between time for finding performance in the factory, and time for delivering that performance during pre-season testing.
"We believe that the decision to run the car at the second winter test is the optimum compromise for our design and development programme with F1 W03."
The first winter test kicks off at the Circuito de Jerez in Southern Spain on 7 February.
Also on Monday:
Mercedes tweaks name for 2012 season
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