Mercedes preps W09 Silver Arrow for Silverstone test

©Mercedes

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Mercedes fired up its 2019 championship winning W09 on Monday in preparation for a team test scheduled this week at Silverstone.

The Brackley squad posted a short video of the fire-up on Twitter in which team personnel is seen wearing masks and respecting the safety and sanitary measures that are set to remain in force for the foreseeable future.

This week's text, which is authorized by the F1's regulations because Mercedes is not running a current car, will allow Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to shed a bit of rust ahead of the start of the season.

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But the two-day run will more importantly be devoted to Mercedes' garage and pitlane procedures as governed by the safety and sanitary procedures that will be in place at the start of the 2020 campaign in Austria next month.

Hamilton and Bottas will each enjoy a full day of running at Silverstone in the W09.

Mercedes and Red Bull are also expected to test ahead of the start of the season, with the Scuderia rumored to also be running this week, with Mugello believed to be its venue of choice.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.