The car was driven by seven time World Drivers' Champion Michael Schumacher, in his final year of his F1 career and Nico Rosberg.

[6] The team used the F1 W03's predecessor, the Mercedes MGP W02, at the first test in Jerez de la Frontera — running for three of the four days — in order to evaluate the 2012 specification of Pirelli tyres.

On the Thursday before the Australian Grand Prix, the FIA's technical delegate Charlie Whiting declared the system to be legal.

[11] However, shortly before the final practice session on Saturday afternoon, representatives from Red Bull Racing and Lotus F1 approached the race stewards and requested that the FIA review the original verdict, claiming that the front wing system was in violation of Articles 3.15 and 3.18, which govern the use of DRS and driver-operated aerodynamic devices.

[13] On the Thursday before the Malaysian Grand Prix, the FIA rejected all claims that the system was illegal, allowing Mercedes to compete with an unaltered car.