Rosberg first to get hands on Mercedes W06

Nico Rosberg will be first and world champion Lewis Hamilton second when it comes to testing the 2015 Mercedes Formula 1 car in southern Spain next month.

Mercedes announced that Rosberg, the German beaten to the title last year by his British team mate, would be first to drive the F1 W06 hybrid car after it is unveiled on the opening day of pre-season testing in Jerez on 1 February.

Hamilton, chasing a third title this year after winning 11 races in 2014 to Rosberg's five, will drive it on the second and third days.

Mercedes said the schedule was simply the reverse of the 2014 testing allocation, when Hamilton was first out in the new V6 turbo-powered car that replaced the old V8s. Full story here>>>