The Mercedes W07 became the first 2016 F1 car to turn laps when it took to the track at Silverstone at 10:15 a.m. Local Time Friday morning.
EXCLUSIVE!!! Onboard the 2016 @MercedesBenz #F1 Silver Arrow + Live Commentary with @nico_rosberg! #WeAreW07https://t.co/Yj1NWRa4md
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) February 19, 2016
As has become a tradition, Mercedes used one of its promotional or filming days to shake the car down on Pirelli “demo” tires, prior to the start of official testing at Barcelona on Monday.
Nico Rosberg drove first before Lewis Hamilton took over, and between them the pair completed 61 miles of running. The team has not issued any official pictures, although the car was captured by a Sky TV crew.
The car will be unveiled on Monday morning in Barcelona, although images will be released this weekend.
“It's been a special day, it's always a great experience,” Rosberg told a Sky TV interviewer who had waited all day outside the track. “I know so much about this car, but everything on paper – numbers, aerodynamic values, and what everybody has been telling me, and now to see it all come together last night in the factory.
“It was a good feeling to start with for sure. I felt at home straight away. I could push as if I raced Abu Dhabi yesterday. A good beginning, but of course I look forward to Barcelona testing now.”
