Yesterday in Kuala Lumpur the Petronas Pit Pulse took place, where Mercedes GP put on F1 demonstrations courtesy of their title sponsor.

The 2010 Mercedes GP MGP W01 was on show being driven by Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher, and Juan Manuel Fangio’s beautiful 1954 championship-winning Silver Arrow was driven by Nick Heidfeld. Also on show was the new Mercedes Formula 1 safety car.

The three German Mercedes GP drivers; Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and Nick Heidfeld met the fans after the event.

They also report that the returning Michael Schumacher will not drive the car until an official test on February 10 in Jerez, meaning Nico Rosberg will drive the car first.

“The years we were together with BMW and Sauber, we benefited from the lubricant business; for next year, we have no team and the only reason for us to go back into F1 is on a business deal for the lubricant business.”

…the Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas have announced they will be continuing as the title sponsor of the new Mercedes GP works team.

Founded in 1974, PETRONAS or ‘Petroliam Nasional Berhad’ is Malaysia’s national oil and gas company. With global operations in over 30 countries, PETRONAS posted a net profit of 15.3 billion US dollars from a turnover of 77 billion US dollars in fiscal year 2008/2009 (ending 31 March 2009).

Petronas have previously backed Sauber and BMW Sauber, and will continue to be the title sponsor of the PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix, scheduled to be the third race of the new season, which will take place at the Sepang International Circuit on 4 April 2010.

Mercedes motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug said:

“We are very pleased to begin our long-term partnership with our new title partner PETRONAS. Daimler, our premium brand Mercedes-Benz and PETRONAS will work together both on and off the track and I am sure that everybody involved will guarantee their absolute dedication to success. PETRONAS’ home base in Kuala Lumpur is located in the middle of a fast-growing region for the automotive industry which makes this new partnership even more valuable. Within the limits of the new Formula One resource restrictions, the Mercedes GP PETRONAS Formula One Team will be well positioned to achieve our goals. We will all strive to present efficient success in the future knowing at the same time that the new Formula One season with some fundamental rule changes will be a particularly challenging one.”

And Mercedes GP team boss Ross Brawn said:

“Everyone at Mercedes GP is delighted to confirm our long-term agreement with PETRONAS and we look forward to working closely with our new partner in the future. The collaboration of the premium automotive brand Mercedes-Benz and a company as prestigious as PETRONAS gives our team a fantastic base from which to achieve our ambitions of competing at the top level of Formula One and building on the success of 2009 which saw the team achieve the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Our plans for the new season are progressing well, as is the development of our 2010 challenger, and we look forward to seeing the car run in the new Silver Arrows and PETRONAS livery at the Valencia test in February.”

The concept images of the Mercedes GP 2010 car published in the media section of the Brawn GP website are below.

Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat alleges that a deal has been made but  that no confirmation will be made until both race seats have been filled.

Kobayashi had hoped for a race with Toyota, but the Japanese manufacturer have pulled out of the sport.

Giancarlo Fisichella, Nick Heidfeld and Pedro de la Rosa are believed to be on Sauber’s shortlist, and Peter Sauber has already expressed a desire for a blend of youth and experience behind the wheel.

It is also rumoured that Belgian driver Bertand Baguette (what a name!) will get the test and reserve driver role in Sauber, if you believe comments made by his manager. Baguette drove for BMW Sauber during the last day of the youngsters’ test in Jerez.

Turun Sanomat has also reported Malaysian oil company Petronas will maintain it’s backing of the Swiss team.