Rosberg and Schumi to split first day of testing with MGP W01

Both Mercedes GP drivers Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher will be at the wheel of the new car, the MGP W01, during the first day of testing next week at Valencia. Ross Brawn, Team Principal of Mercedes GP, believes that the team will benefit from getting feedback from both drivers on the first day.

Brawn said: "What we want to try and do is give both drivers a drive on the first day. The first day is about checking the car and inspecting all the pieces - and there will be several strip downs of critical parts.

"So during that period we will swap drivers and we want both drivers to get a run in the car on the first day to give us their impressions. Nico will probably do the second day and Michael the third day. But it will be split on the first day."