Formula one: Mercedes unveil their new F1 car

Mercedes Benz has a rich F1 heritage, but never before has it run its own team Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images Photograph: Vladimir Rys/guardian.co.uk The names of the two drivers are printed on the cockpit of the MGP W01 car. Schumacher hasn't raced in F1 since losing the 2006 title race to Fernando Alonso, while Rosberg has joined Mercedes from Williams after finishing the 2009 season in 7th place with 34.5 points Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images Photograph: Vladimir Rys/guardian.co.uk The branding of Mercedes' title sponsor, Petronas, dominates the new livery Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images Photograph: Vladimir Rys/guardian.co.uk The drivers walk onto the stage. However the car that awaits them is not the 2010 model. Rather, it is the 2009 Brawn car painted in Mercedes colours. The 2010 model will not be ready until next month Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images Photograph: Vladimir Rys/guardian.co.uk “Driving for Mercedes-Benz again is like the closing of a circle for me as I started my racing driver career with the three-pointed star on my helmet,” said Schumacher Photograph: Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Patrick Hertzog/guardian.co.uk Schumacher still looks the part ... but doubts over his ability will persist until the first race in Bahrain in March Photograph: Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Patrick Hertzog/guardian.co.uk He and Rosberg share a joke ... but soon the rivalry will begin, when pre-season testing starts next months. The teams are allowed to complete 15,000km of testing during February Photograph: Crispin Thruston/Action Images Photograph: Crispin Thruston/guardian.co.uk The drivers are joined on stage by Ross Brawn, Dieter Zetsche, Norbert Haug and Nick Fry, as photographers clamber round Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images Photograph: Vladimir Rys/guardian.co.uk