New hope for Merc & Schumi

Michael Schumacher looked forward to being a contender again as his Mercedes team belatedly pulled the wraps off their shiny new Formula One car before testing here on Tuesday.

Michael Schumacher looked forward to being a contender again as his Mercedes team belatedly pulled the wraps off their shiny new Formula One car before testing here on Tuesday.

"I have done quite a few roll-outs and launches of new cars, but even after all these years, I must say it still feels special," said the seven-time champion. Mercedes said the new car was better packaged and more efficient and also composed of some 200 more parts than the 2011 one while having a lower core weight.