Mercedes confirms Barcelona launch

The tenth F1 launch of the 2012 season has been confirmed, as Mercedes AMG Petronas revealed that it would unveil its new W03 ahead of next week's test session in Barcelona.

The wraps will come off the car, to be driven by Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher, shortly after 8am on Tuesday 21 February, with the obligatory photocall with car, drivers and senior management figures to follow. The media will then get a brief opportunity to quiz Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug before testing begins at 9am, with Haug and Rosberg available for questions during the lunch break as Schumacher will conduct the initial runs with the car. The seven-time world champion, who is entering the third year of his comeback, will be available for interview at the end of play, along with team principal Brawn.

Rosberg will take over behind the wheel on Wednesday 22 February, and will alternate the remaining days of the test with his compatriot.Mercedes only ran three of the four days in last week's Jerez test, but topped two of them with the 2011-spec W02.

After the German giant, only Marussia and HRT remain to unveil their 2012 machines, but both are now hoping to do so at the third and final pre-season test, also in Barcelona, early next month.