Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team launched the new season car on the day George Russell turned 25. The F1 W14 E Performance is a back-to-black move and the team hopes it will be unlike the unlucky W13 of last year.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and birthday boy George Russell will line up for the second season together. Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher is the reserve driver, ready to step in whenever necessary.
“Our hopes and expectations are always to be capable of fighting for a World Championship. However, our competitors were very strong last year, and we are playing catch-up,” said Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, Toto Wolff.
Mercedes seemed to be capable of catching up toward he end of last season. But, as engineers said, the engines were already “battered and bruised by then. Facing bouncing and several other issues that put the W13 nowhere near the top, Mercedes is hoping they nailed it this time.
“We were overweight last year. This year we have tried to figure out where we can squeeze out every single gram. So now, history repeats itself. You will see that the car has some raw carbon bits, along with some that are painted matte black,” Toto commented after the reveal at Silverstone.
With the team for over a decade, Lewis Hamilton will be fighting to get motivation back. He was unable to get his hands on a single victory in 2022. “I’m excited to go racing again. I feel calm, energized, and have my focus sharpened. I’m ready to do what’s necessary to win.”
Teammate George Russell got his maiden pole last year and his maiden victory in Brazil. He hopes he will be collecting those in 2023. This black livery shows that “we mean business,” the driver says. The W14 will be hitting the racetrack in Silverstone later on today
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