Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Mercedes confirms driver schedule for second test

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Mercedes has confirmed its driver schedule for the second pre-season test at the Circuit de Catalunya next week.

Lewis Hamilton will open the test on Thursday, with the two drivers alternating over the four days. That means Nico Rosberg will be behind the wheel of the W06 on day two, before Hamilton drives again on the third day and Rosberg closes out the test.

Mercedes will be looking to build on impressive mileage following the first test at Jerez which saw the team complete 516 laps across the first four days of running in 2015. Rosberg was the busiest of the two drivers, clocking up 308 laps on his two days alone, more than half of the teams present managed at the first test in total.

While the mileage was impressive, Mercedes didn't show its hand in terms of pace as Ferrari-powered cars dominated the timing screens throughout the first test. Rosberg set the fastest Mercedes time at Jerez - fourth quickest overall - and admitted he was impressed by how strong Ferrari looked.

The second pre-season test runs from February 19-22, with the final test taking place from February 26-March 1.

Feature: Take a closer look at the Mercedes W06

Click here for the full gallery of the Mercedes W06 at Jerez

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.