Formula 1: This is what the new Mercedes looks like

Mercedes wants to leave no stone unturned when attacking the world champion team Red Bull in Formula 1. Even the color is saved. The Silver Arrow is painted black for the upcoming season, like 2020 and 2021, to reduce the overall weight.

“He looks good,” said team boss Toto Wolff at the presentation of the new car on Wednesday morning at Silverstone. Silverstone. W14 is the name of the working machine of record world champion Lewis Hamilton and his British compatriot George Russell, the 14th F1 car from Mercedes after returning as a works racing team in 2010.

“It’s great that he’s black again,” said Hamilton. The 38-year-old has been on board since 2013 and has won six of his seven world titles with the team.

The “Search for Milliseconds”

“We leave no stone unturned in our search for milliseconds. This year we’re doing everything we can to return to the top,” emphasized Wolff. The racing team, which the Viennese had built up together with Hamilton’s mentor Niki Lauda, ​​also had to admit defeat in the Red Bull Constructors’ World Championship last year, only taking third place behind Ferrari – after eight triumphs in a row.

Video: The Mercedes in close-up

In the drivers’ standings, Max Verstappen also confidently defended his 2021 title. The Dutchman also prevented Hamilton from winning his eighth world title, which would make him the sole record holder in the premier class of motorsport. The Briton still shares the record with Michael Schumacher. “I always think I can do better,” Hamilton said. He loves the challenge of getting even more performance out of himself.

Michael Schumacher was also the focus of attention in January 2010 at the presentation of the first Formula 1 Mercedes after the return of the silver. At that time, the German himself made a comeback in the premier class.

Now his son Mick, who had no longer received a cockpit from competitor Haas, is working as a substitute and simulator driver at Mercedes. “I hope these guys don’t have fish poisoning, but you definitely deserve to be in a car,” Wolff said at the presentation to the 23-year-old.

“2022 was a difficult year”

Russell celebrated his 25th birthday on Wednesday. He is entering his second year as a regular driver alongside Hamilton. The Englishman had his first GP victory last year at the penultimate race of the season in Sao Paulo. In the World Championship he finished fourth behind Verstappen, Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari and Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull. “We’re all here to win, it’s that simple,” explained Russell. “We all don’t want to repeat it in 2022.”

Hamilton was only sixth in the World Cup standings. “2022 was a difficult year, but we learned a lot,” assured his team boss Wolff. “We’re catching up.” At the end of last season, the W13, the predecessor of the new car, worked very well.

Wolff: “Our hopes and expectations are always that we’ll be able to fight for the World Championship.” The season starts on March 5th in Bahrain. The only test drives are scheduled there next week (February 23rd to 25th).