Mercedes has revealed its driver line-up for this week’s third pre-season test in Barcelona, the final opportunity for teams to trial their 2015 machinery ahead of the F1 opening round in Melbourne.
While the defending Constructors’ champions have yet to top the timesheets in testing this year, the new W06 Hybrid has been showing ominous pace over long runs. Last Sunday, Nico Rosberg even finished a couple of tenths off Romain Grosjean’s supersoft-shod fastest time while running on mediums.
Mercedes' advantage is somehow confirmed by Williams’ Rod Nelson admitting the Brackley-based team “has got the legs on everyone” and Daniel Ricciardo expecting a three-way fight behind the 2014 victors.
After feeling unwell during the second test, reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton will be at the wheel of the W06 Hybrid on Thursday and Saturday, with team-mate Nico Rosberg running the other days. Last year's runner-up also had to overcome a minor health problem as he sat out the Friday afternoon session in order to nurse an inflamed nerve in his neck.
The third and final pre-season test will take place at Circuit de Catalunya from February 26 to March 1.
Click here to see the second test in numbers
Click here for the gallery from day four of the second test
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