Mercedes: Fantastic achievement from the team

Thursday, 07 February 2013 at 21:11

Nico Rosberg completed a successful third day of pre-season testing for Mercedes AMG Petronas today in Jerez, Spain.

Following a difficult start to the week with limited mileage, Nico was today able to complete a total of 655 km - over two race distances - to make good progress through the team's test items.

Nico's work today focused on reliability running to put mileage on the car and aerodynamic evaluations
Nico ran the medium and hard compounds throughout the day, setting his fastest time on the medium tyres
He evaluated a new front wing design this morning and ran with the new parts throughout the afternoon.
His total number of laps exceeded the highest single-day total from last year's pre-season test in Jerez
(132 laps for Michael Schumacher on 8 February 2012 in the 2011 car)
Nico also completed pit-stop practice during the final hour of today's running

Nico Rosberg: I'm very happy with today and I think it was probably a personal record for me to do almost 150 laps. I've never been so well prepared physically as I am this season; I feel on top form and it was no problem to complete the programme. To drive the distance from Silverstone to Spa in one day with no problems whatsoever is a fantastic achievement from the team. It really made up for the last two days and put a smile on everybody's face. In terms of driving the car, I have a good feeling, I can push it and feel comfortable - but obviously we still have plenty of work to do to continue improving.

Lewis Hamilton will complete the fourth and final day of the test tomorrow.