(Motorsport) Reigning world champions Mercedes have revealed their 2022 F1 car – the W13 which will be driven by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in the upcoming season. The Silver Arrows have won the Constructors Championship for eight consecutive seasons but missed out on the Drivers Championship last year after a dramatic turn of events in the Abu Dhabi GP which resulted in Red Bull’s Max Verstappen winning the title for the first time in his career. George Russell has replaced Valtteri Bottas as Mercedes’ second driver and is being viewed as a long term option for the team as Lewis Hamilton is 37 years old.
After two years in black livery, Mercedes have returned to their roots with the W13 with silver and a dash of red for the 2022 car. Hamilton’s presence at the launch was his first media appearance since the infamous events that occurred at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 12th after which the seven time World Champion maintained silence and there were question marks about the future involvement of the racer in Formula 1. The unveiling of the W13 also comes a day after Michael Masi was replaced as race director by the FIA for the upcoming season.
Mercedes have officially become the eighth manufacturer to unveil their car for the upcoming season and Hamilton’s partnership with Russell will be the first all-British driver lineup in Formula 1 since Hamilton partnered with Jensen Button at McLaren 10 years ago. Last year was only the second time Hamilton didn’t win the Drivers Championship since 2014 but will undoubtedly come back to the sport hungrier than ever to become the first Formula 1 racer to win eight World Championships, surpassing Michael Schumacher’s record.
Speaking at the launch, Mercedes Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff said “The hopes are we have a competitive car. It's not a given with the new regulations. We say we want to win another title, but we don't even know if we're going to be in the hunt for a new title. What I know with this team is that we've always been able, even when circumstances are difficult like the beginning of last season, to dig ourselves out of disadvantageous situations. I think that adversity has always made him (Hamilton) stronger, more resilient and determined. This is the attitude I feel in him right now and the mindset I see in the team.”
Wolff added: "The black livery was a clear intent and a clear demonstration of our mission to become a more diverse and inclusive team. It has become part of our DNA, but the silver colour of the Silver Arrows is as much our DNA, it's our history. As a team we have grown from the Silver Arrows to slowly becoming a more diverse and inclusive team and therefore our colours going forward will be silver and black."
Hamilton said “I never ever said I was going to stop. I love doing what I do and it is such a privilege working with this large group of people. There's no feeling quite like it. It was obviously a difficult time for me. It was when I needed to take a step back, focus on being present, so I had my family all around me and creating great moments. It eventually got to the point where I would be attacking again coming into another season.
“It is exciting seeing George coming in and seeing his energy. George has had an amazing career so far, in getting to Formula 1 and what he's done within Formula 1. It's going to be exciting to see him grow and work with him. I've had him sitting behind me before when we were working away, getting the set up on the race weekend and now I'll be working opposite from him, collaborating with him and hopefully steering the car in the same direction. I'm excited about that."
George Russell said “Lewis was a superhero to me. You see these incredible people and you don't think they're human. Now, growing up and having the opportunity to race alongside Lewis is a real privilege for me because I've got such a great opportunity to learn and see how the best do it.
Also read: Scuderia Ferrari reveal 2022 car F1-75 with fierce new design
