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A handout picture launched by Mercedes exhibits the staff’s British driver George Russell (2L), Group principal Toto Wolff (3L), British driver Lewis Hamilton (3R) and reserve driver German driver Mick Schumacher (2R) posing with their new Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Method One racing automotive throughout their 2023 season launch, in Silverstone on February 15, 2023. (Picture by MERCEDES / AFP)
LONDON — Mercedes went again to black on Wednesday with a glossy new Method One automotive they hope will permit Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to combat for wins and titles after a troublesome 2022 season.
The staff ended an unprecedented run of eight successive constructors’ titles with third place general final yr after wrestling with a bouncing automotive whose efficiency was arduous to extract.
Whereas Russell celebrated his first Method One victory in Brazil, seven-time world champion Hamilton did not win a race all season for the primary time in a Method One profession that began in 2007.
“It seems to be good. Is she going to be as quick as she seems to be? I hope so,” commented staff boss Toto Wolff at a digital launch from Silverstone the place each drivers had been attributable to give the W14 some first shakedown laps.
“We’ve seen the automotive now and we’re considering is she quick or not? Have we cured a few of the issues? What are going to be the challenges that we spot on observe?,” added the Austrian. “And that could be a large unknown.
“However we’re constructive, there’s pleasure. We now have the instruments to grasp, to develop and develop the automotive and hopefully give George and Lewis one thing that works.”
Wolff mentioned the staff can be going “all-in” to get again in entrance and beat champions Pink Bull, which has Max Verstappen chasing a 3rd successive drivers’ title, and runners-up Ferrari.
FILE PHOTO: Mercedes-AMG Petronas Method One drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton attend a information convention in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, forward of the Singapore Grand Prix, September 28, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
Mercedes ran a silver liveried automotive final yr and the return to the black of 2020 and 2021, tying in with the staff’s push for larger variety, has the extra good thing about saving weight by eradicating paint and leaving uncooked carbon fiber.
“It seems to be nice in black,” mentioned Hamilton, now 38 and winner of a document 103 grands prix.
The Briton, beginning his eleventh season with the staff and “planning to remain slightly bit longer”, mentioned he all the time believed he might get higher.
“I’m excited to go racing once more. I really feel calm, energized, and have my focus sharpened. I’m able to do what’s essential to win,” he mentioned.
Russell mentioned the staff had learnt loads final yr “and hopefully we’ve taken a step up”.
“We’re all right here to win, it’s so simple as that,” he added.
“We have to see what challenges we face however the staff have put a lot arduous work into this automotive, the motivation and the hearth inside the manufacturing facility is simply immense as a result of folks don’t desire a repeat of what occurred in 2022.”
Germany’s Mick Schumacher has joined the staff from Haas as a reserve whereas Mercedes additionally has some new sponsors with Qualcomm Applied sciences signing a multi-year take care of its Snapdragon model, beforehand at Ferrari.
The season begins in Bahrain on March 5, with testing on the Sakhir circuit subsequent week.
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