Formula One: New Mercedes makes low-key debut

LONDON: Mercedes gave their new Formula One car a track debut away from prying eyes amid suspicions that the late arrival meant the team had something to hide from rivals. The team said Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg each did 50 kilometres at Silverstone circuit for what was officially a private filming day before the launch of the W03 at the second pre-season test in Barcelona next week. Adrian Newey, multiple title-winning designer for champions Red Bull, endorsed the possibility that the car has been held back to give rivals less time to crack its secrets. “You might do that if the car has some feature which you think is a big benefit and which is relatively easily copied,” said Newey.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2012.