Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Rosberg expected to be fit for Friday

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Nico Rosberg is expected to be fit enough to drive on Friday at the Circuit de Catalunya despite a neck problem.

Lewis Hamilton opened the second test on Thursday morning but lasted just 11 laps before withdrawing due to a fever. Mercedes called up reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein to drive - with the 20-year-old already driving for Force India - due to Rosberg suffering from an inflamed nerve in his neck but Wehrlein says he doesn’t expect to be driving again on Friday.

Asked if he would drive on Friday if Rosberg is still in pain, Wehrlein replied: “I think so, but I think he’s a bit better now.

“Let’s see, I’m here and if something happens I can drive and I will drive, but hopefully the [race] drivers can drive and get some practice in the new car.”

Mercedes also announced that the current schedule remains for Rosberg to drive on day two, while Wehrlein will be back in the Force India on Saturday.

Full times and day one of the second test as it happened

Click here for the gallery from day one of the second test

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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.