Mercedes unveil W12 car ahead of 2021 F1 season – pics

Mercedes have given fans their first look at the W12 racing car that will carry the team’s Formula 1 Constructor’s World Championship and Lewis Hamilton’s efforts to win a record eighth World Drivers Championship.

The car will once again be decked out in black base livery which Mercedes says serves to “underline the team’s commitment to improving diversity and inclusion within the team and our sport”.

Mercedes unveil W12 racing car

The design also incorporates the silver traditionally associated with Mercedes-AMG.

Team Principal Toto Wolff has ensured fans that Mercedes are not resting on their laurels after a period of unprecedented success for the famous manufacturer since their return to motorsport’s premium series.

“Our scepticism and hunger drive us and get us fired up for every new season – because the scoreboard goes to zero and there’s always more performance to be found. And that’s exciting,” said Wolff.

The W12 will complete its first laps on the opening day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, on Friday 12 March.

Wolff feels that the behind the scenes teams at their Brackley factory have outdone themselves yet again.

“Every year we reset our focus and define the right objectives,” said Toto Wolff. “That may sound simple but it’s damn hard and is probably why there are no sports teams out there with seven consecutive titles. So many things can happen and it’s very natural to get used to success, and therefore not fight as hard for it. 

“But this team has not shown any of that. I see the same fire, hunger and passion now as I did the first time I walked through the doors in 2013. Every season presents a new challenge and therefore, a new goal for us to achieve. 2021 brings changes to the regulations, which could impact our competitiveness, plus the cost cap and working on the major rule changes of 2022. These challenges excite us.”

The team’s 2021 entrant has been named Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance and is their first car to use the ‘E PERFORMANCE’ designation, intended to signifying a closer alignment to the Mercedes-AMG performance division.

A new chapter 

The 2021 season also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Mercedes F1 following the announcement late last year that Wolff, Daimler and INEOS will be one-third, equal shareholders in the team.

“The fact that we were able to attract INEOS as an investor shows that we have a strong business case and that F1 continues to be a highly attractive platform for big brands and companies,” said Wolff. 

“We’re also seeing a slight shift in the way that F1 teams operate as the cost cap and the new structure move us towards a business model that is more familiar in American sports franchises.

“At the same time, having three strong shareholders in the team gives us even more stability for the future. On a personal level, I’m very happy to commit to the team for the long term and increase my share slightly. I’ve always said that this team is like a family to me, and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.”