On the day of the launch of the new Silver Arrow, Mercedes has announced a partnership with former BMW sponsor the car insurer, Allianz.

From this week's first pre-season test in Valencia, Allianz branding will feature on two of the sport's main safety features; the HANS (Head & Neck Support) system worn by the team's drivers Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher, and the seat belts of the team's MGP W02 cars.

Allianz has been a partner of Formula One since 2000 and sponsors the Official Formula One Safety Car and Medical Car, both provided by Mercedes-Benz.

"Allianz, much like the Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team, are interested in all aspects of road safety and see the benefit in a reciprocal exchange between the racing team, car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz and car insurer Allianz," said Joseph K. Gross, Global Head of Group Market Management at Allianz SE. "Heightened awareness means safer driving, which means fewer accidents and finally, less damages. 3,000 people die in traffic accidents worldwide every day and around 30,000 people are seriously injured. As a global insurer for over 50 million cars, Allianz has a vested interest in reducing the frequency and severity of accidents. With its Formula One engagement, Allianz can create links between the safety of Formula One drivers and the everyday safety of drivers worldwide."

"We are delighted to welcome our new partner Allianz to the Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team as we begin our pre-season testing programme," added Ross Brawn. "Allianz have been involved with Formula One for a number of years and have achieved excellent work in raising the profile of road safety through their marketing campaigns. Safety is absolutely fundamental in our sport and with every innovation that improves safety in Formula One, there is the possibility of increasing road safety for drivers everywhere."

"We are really looking forward to welcoming Allianz as a new partner for our team," said Norbert Haug. "Since the invention of the automobile 125 years ago, Mercedes-Benz has been above all a pioneer in all aspects of safety in and around the car, and has been decisively pushing progress with regards to safety and will continue to do. This ambition is fitting with Allianz and we want to emphasise this jointly with our partnership in Formula One."