Schumacher pleased with new Mercedes

Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher was pleased with the new 2012 Mercedes after the team completed its first full day with the new Mercedes AMG W03.

A hydraulic problem brought a premature end to the days running, but not before Schumacher could complete 51 laps around the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

The team are of course playing catch up in comparison to rivals Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari as they ran the previous test in Jerez with their old 2011 car, which means that the other teams have had much more time to test their new parts, change configuration settings and analyse data from everything from the aerodynamics of the car, to the new Pirelli tyres.

But after one days running, Schumacher believes the new car has shown potential for the days ahead.

'My initial feelings with our new car are certainly good. I'm happy with the different evaluations that we have done over the last week, but obviously with the rule changes, we won't know more until later. Schumacher told Sky Sports.

'It's certainly an improvement and we have worked hard on the areas we had defined last year.

Mercedes didn't officially unveil their new car until this week and many media types in the paddock have questioned the new nose design on the majority of the field, including the Mercedes which features the stepped nose.

'The aerodynamics figures look good so I'm not worried about the shape of the nose! Even though we had the hydraulic problem today, I'm pleased with all the mileage we have achieved so far with the new car.' Schumacher concluded.

Team-mate Nico Rosberg will run the Mercedes car today and Friday, while Schumacher will return to the track on Thursday.