First picture of the MercedesGP W02 released

MercedesGP has released the first official picture of its challenger for the 2011 Formula 1 season. The W02 now shown for the first time will have its official debut tomorrow in Valencia.

Although the team will be one of the several teams that will be making a low-profile launch of the car for the new season at the first official testing in Spain, MercedesGP released ahead of launch a head-on computer-generated image, giving a preview of the W02.

From the picture seems like the W02 has a more traditional airbox design than last year’s W01. A higher nose is also suggested and subtil livery changes can also be spotted. For example there is additional green highlighting for sponsor Petronas, while the silver of the main colour scheme seems to be slightly different.

After a slow start in 2010, with its programme hampered by the restructuring that predecessor team Brawn had to undergo while also chasing the 2009 title, MercedesGP redefined its priorities to 2011 and focused on the development of the successor of the W01. The goal was to eliminate the problems found on the 2010 F1 car and to have more time to work on the new season rule changes than its rivals.

In 2011 MercedesGP will keep the same driver lineup than last season, with Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher.