Mercedes has officially launched its 2022 Formula 1 car it will aim to defend its world constructors’ crown in, revealing a silver livery for the first time since 2019.
The Brackley-based team comes into the year having lost the 2021 drivers’ title in controversial fashion on the last lap of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Despite lodging an appeal over the race result, Mercedes’ had its plea dismissed by the FIA, leaving it no choice but to concede defeat.
While it failed to win the drivers’ championship for the first time in the V6 hybrid era, Mercedes retained its constructors’ title for a record-breaking eighth season running.
On the driver front, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton returns after a winter of uncertainty regarding his future after being left “disillusioned” by the events in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton’s eight victories were not enough to prevent Red Bull’s Max Verstappen from claiming his maiden crown, but the British driver is refreshed after taking some time off.
Hamilton will be partnered by George Russell, who replaces Valtteri Bottas after impressing his three years at Williams, becoming the first graduate from the Mercedes junior programme to race for the team.
Russell scored points on four occasions last year, including a podium finish at Spa having secured a shock front row grid slot in a wet qualifying session.
The German manufacturer revealed its 2022 car, the W13, in a silver livery, returning to its renowned colours after two years running in a black livery behind its anti-racism message.
Mercedes’ unveiling of its new challenger leaves just Alpine and Alfa Romeo as the only remaining teams to launch their 2022 designs to meet the all-new technical regulations.
The W13 will be handed its on-track debut in a shakedown at Silverstone on Friday before being given an extended run-out in Barcelona for the first pre-season test on February 23-25.
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