This is what the new car that will represent the Mercedes team in Formula 1 2023 looks like. (AFP)
Mercedes, the eight-time world constructors champion team, presented its 2023 car on Wednesday with the hope of being able to return to the fight for the Formula 1 title.
The British George Russell and lewis hamiltonwho is seeking a record eight world titles, will pilot the W14mainly black bordered by green stripes, the color of its main sponsor Petronas.
The traditional gray of the “silver arrows” that the W13 sported in 2022 gives way to black, mainly to reduce the weight of the car.
“Last year we were overweight, this year we tried to see if we could lose a few grams”, leaving some carbon parts unpainted, explained the team director. Toto Wolffduring the online presentation of the W14.
“We will not neglect any detail in our quest to save any millisecond,” he added.
The team had already worn that image in 2020 and 2021, in tribute to the fight against racism that Hamilton defends so much. “The color black became part of our DNA at that time.so we’re happy to get it back,” Wolff said.
Back in black. ? Meet the Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E PERFORMANCE. ?
We’re #AllInPerformance. ? pic.twitter.com/qKYiQiR6In
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 15, 2023
Hopeful but cautious
The main challenge for Mercedes this season will be to return to the fight for the title, after a 2022 season full of ups and downs and with only one victory for the team in 22 racesthat of George Russell at the Brazilian GP.
Was the first winless season for Lewis Hamilton since it reached the premier class of motorsport in 2007.
Despite the setback, “I still like racing, I think my DNA never changed, I’ve always thought I could improve,” said the 38-year-old, whose contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the season.
“Our hopes are placed on being able to compete for a world championship, but our rivals were very strong last year, and we have to catch up,” admitted Toto Wolff.
In 2022, the German manufacturer, so successful in recent years, tried to get rid of its problems mainly linked to the aerodynamics of the car.
The W13, which was born from a unique aerodynamic concept after the entry into force of a new regulation a year ago, made it difficult for its pilots.
The new car retains the qualities of its predecessor, but Wolff is prudent: “We are on the path we wanted to be in terms of performance, but we don’t know how the others are doing, I think we need to stay humble, especially after last year.” .
Mercedes finished in third place in the constructors’ world championship, far from the supercompetitive cars of Red Bull and Ferrari, but the Germans assure that this year they will do “everything possible to get back to the top”.
