Formula 1: Mercdes GP - Silver Arrow livery revealed

I n the new Silver Arrows , who will take to the track for the first time in the tests in Valencia next Monday, record world champion Michael Schumacher and his teammate Nico Rosberg will be the first German duo in the premier class in their first own Mercedes team in 55 years.

'We're making the German national Formula 1 team perfect,' said Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche: 'A little national pride is justified.' But he also urged patience. 'We have a very clear goal: We want to become world champions. That does not mean that it has to work in the first year,' he said. 'We are a new team - give us a little time.'

New chapter in Mercedes motorsport history

'With today's team presentation the beginning of a new and certainly the most important chapter in our more than 100-year motorsport history, 'said Mercedes Motorsport Director Norbert Haug. 'This season is like a new start for me, I feel extremely motivated,' said Schumacher. He couldn't wait to get into the car now. 'I am convinced that Mercedes GP Petronas will be in a very good position for the fight for the world championships, and I will do everything for it myself,' said the seven-time world champion.

In addition to the 41-year-old record world champion Schumacher, who has signed a three-year contract, wants Rosberg, who is 17 years younger, to fight for the world title. For Rosberg, “an absolute dream” came true with the commitment to Mercedes. The fact that he will also be the first to drive the new Silver Arrow in the official tests in Valencia next week is 'something very special,' he said at the team presentation on Monday at the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart. 'We will have the car ready next Sunday and then go straight to the test,' said Haug before the start of the presentation. The car will shine in silver 'combined with a 'flow' in iridescent silver tones. On the nose and in other parts of the vehicle, black carbon fiber is visible reminiscent of the original Silver Arrow from 1934', as Mercedes announced.

The media rush was enormous

The new German duo arrived in front of the Mercedes Museum - both in stylish dark suits and fashionably up-to-date with an elegant scarf - and was welcomed by Daimler- Chef Zetsche received - andwith him by countless photographers and cameramen. If you should have followed all the wishes, you could have gone to the VfB Stuttgart stadium next door, joked Zetsche in view of the huge media interest.

Every movement of the two rivals and colleagues was recorded. Long before the new team was introduced, television broadcasters had switched to the location of the action again and again. According to Zetsche, this is probably the most coveted press conference that has ever been held in the Mercedes Museum. 'It's a special day and we're enjoying it,' agreed Haug.