Welcome to F1Minute - Mercedes to add AMG to name in 2012.

The Mercedes team have today announced that they will run under a slightly modified name next season, adding the AMG branding to the car. They’ll officially be known as the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, bringing their high performance brand into the sport.

Mercedes chief Norbert Haug said of the addition: “These three letters are synonymous with high technology, sporting performance and excitement and this step is a further strong sign of the strategic commitment Mercedes-Benz has made to Formula 1.”

Meanwhile, Team Principal Ross Brawn is looking ahead to the car itself, saying: “At the factory, we have been focused for some time on the challenge of 2012, and our clear ambition to move forward up the grid next year. As always, the winter processes are a trade-off between time for finding performance in the factory and time for delivering that performance during pre-season testing.” With that in mind, Brawn has confirmed the new car - the F1 W03 - will make its first appearance in the second pre-season test in February.