Mercedes has unveiled its 2012 challenger – the car it hopes will give the team it first win.
The Mercedes W03 was unveiled to the public at Barcelona, prior to today's start to the last four days of testing before the season opening Australian Grand Prix (March 22-25).
The new car has already seen the race track twice – shaken down at Silverstone last week before the German squad conducted a private test at Catalunya – a test the team was permitted to do after it only used three of the four days of testing at Jerez earlier this month.
The new car features the stepped nose, a common trait with the majority of rival teams. McLaren is the only team not to use the new-styled nose.
In Jerez testing, the team used its 2011 car to gather data on Pirelli's new tyres.
Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher continue in an unchanged driver line-up, with this year marking the end of Schumacher's three-year driving contract.
Testing at Barcelona is already underway.