Mercedes tipped for January launch

German newspaper Bild has reported that, following the collapse of the common launch concept, the official unveiling of the new Mercedes Grand Prix car will take place at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Unterturkheim in late January.

The ‘paper also claims that the team’s star signing, F1 legend Michael Schumacher, will not drive the car during the first round of 2010 tests at Valencia, when only team-mate Nico Rosberg will be at the wheel.

Instead, Schumacher will make his much-awaited Mercedes F1 debut at the start of the following Jerez test on February 10.