With plans for a common launch party for Formula 1 teams having been shelved, Mercedes-Benz is moving ahead with its plans for the official unveiling of its new car, which will mark not only the company's return to grand prix racing as a constructor for the first time in 55 years, but also the return of seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher to the sport after a three-year sabbatical. Schumacher was announced late last month as the teammate to previously signed Nico Rosberg at the former Brawn GP team.
Germany's Sport Bild reports that the 2010 Mercedes GP car will be launched on Jan. 25 in Stuttgart, with the unveiling expected to be at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Unterturkheim.
The race debut at Bahrain in March of the car, which Sport Bild says will be designated the "Mercedes-Petronas RB1" (in deference to the team's Malaysian sponsor and team boss Ross Brawn, whose team was purchased by Mercedes last November), will mark the first time a Mercedes has run in Formula 1 as a full factory team since Juan Manuel Fangio won the title for the marque in 1955.