LONDON (AFP) - Reigning world champions Mercedes took their new F1 car for a test drive at Silverstone on Friday for a filming day.

World drivers champion Lewis Hamilton and his German teammate Nico Rosberg clocked up almost 100km in the "Silver Arrow".

The test was conducted behind closed doors but some photos of the new car were later shared on social media.

It will make its first public appearance at pre-season testing in Barcelona next week with Briton Hamilton due behind the wheel on Monday and Wednesday, and Rosberg driving it on Tuesday and Thursday.

Therer will be another test on March 4 before the season begins in Melbourne, Australia on March 20.