Reigning world champion squad Mercedes has revealed its new Formula 1 car at Silverstone.
The new WO8 completed a handful of filming day laps at the Northamptonshire circuit with Lewis Hamilton at the wheel before being officially unveiled to the media.
Hamilton was joined by new team-mate Valtteri Bottas and team principal Toto Wolff to launch the car.
Mercedes’ latest design features a narrower nose while the team has launched the car without a shark fin on the engine cover, which has been a feature on the recently revealed Renault, Sauber and Force India.
Instead, the Brackley squad has revealed a radical T-wing on its engine cover, although the team has confirmed plans to test a shark fin at next week’s Barcelona test.
Mercedes has also focussed a significant amount of work on a redesign of the car’s floor and barge boards.
The highly successful power unit has also been upgraded with several improvements including a new MGU-H and MGU-K.
Mercedes has boasted the benchmark engine since the V6 units were introduced in 2014.
Team boss Wolff says his squad has enjoyed the challenge of adapting to new regulations for 2017, which he feels will be a new era for F1.
“The new rules for 2017 were designed to make the fastest F1 cars ever through a big increase in aerodynamic performance,” said Wolff.
“They should be more physical to drive and hopefully more spectacular for the fans to watch. The proof will come in the opening races but we have probably achieved that target.
“Of course, in terms of relative performance, it’s clear that any rule change brings with it a big reset but also a big opportunity.
“This is the time to stay humble and keep our feet on the ground. None of the teams has raced under these rules and we all have the same points right now: zero.
“But the dominant feeling in the team right now is one of excitement – the factory is buzzing with anticipation.
“It has been a really motivating challenge to develop a brand new car concept and I have never seen our determination to succeed higher than it is right now.
“This year, in-season development will play a big role in determining the championship outcome.
“None of us know where we will stand at the first race but I am confident that, whatever that position is, we have the people and the capability to deal with every challenge that comes our way.
“This will be the season where our full works team can show its true strength.”
Meanwhile, Wolff believes the arrival of Bottas to the team will provide an intense inter-team battle following Nico Rosberg’s decision to retire from F1 after winning the world championship last year.
“Of course, we had a curve ball from Nico late last year that left us scrambling a little bit in the winter,” he added.
“But we found a great solution with Valtteri and I am sure that he will form a strong partnership with Lewis.
“They have both been working hard in the factory with the technical teams and, although we have a different dynamic to manage than in recent seasons, I don’t expect the competition between them to be less intense. And that’s how we like it.”
Mercedes will join the rest of the F1 paddock for the first pre-season at Barcelona from February 27 – March 2.
Discussion about this post