Mercedes stun with new W14 livery at launch of 2023 F1 car
Mercedes have gone back to black in a return to their livery of 2020 and 2021 as they unveiled their new W14 car ahead of the new Formula 1 season.
Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Toto Wolff were all present at the launch event at Silverstone on Wednesday morning when the 2023 design revealed a return to the past, after a disappointing 2022 campaign.
The Silver Arrows, after two years with a black livery born out of a stand against racism in wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, returned to their usual silver colour last year but struggled with porpoising and bouncing amid a new set of technical regulations.
Yet hope is high 2023 will be different and Hamilton, targeting a record eighth world title, quipped that the car “looks great in black.”
The 38-year-old, who failed to win a race last year, added: “We’re all excited to get back in. We’ve done a lot of work in the simulator but we’ve seen this in the works for some time now.
“Before Christmas I saw it in the wind-tunnel and I’m really excited, I know everyone at the factory has worked so hard for this creation.
“This is the most exciting part of the year. I stand in awe of how amazing the designers are, so much detail! There’s eight billion people and only 20 of us get to do this, so privileged beyond measure. With all the difficulties last year, we’re all anxious to get out there and see where everyone else is too.”
Hamilton, whose contract with Mercedes expires at the end of this season, hinted that a new deal could be on the horizon too.
“I’ve been here a long time,” he said. “I love being part of a team going towards a common goal, I love racing. I always believe I can get back better, love that challenge of having to deep dive and extract more performance.
“It’s not the same car every year, always changing. I love that. I’m planning to stay a little bit longer!”
Russell, who won his first F1 race in Brazil last November, also couldn’t hide his eagerness to get going, with both drivers to take the car out on track at Silverstone later on Wednesday.
“I’m really excited to drive the car for the first time,” he said. “You see it come to life and it’s such a proud moment, we both jumped in the car a few days ago for the seat fit.
“We’re going to go out today, make sure it’s working properly ahead of the test next week.”
Pre-season testing takes place in Bahrain next week ahead of the first race of the new season at the same track on 3-5 March, the Bahrain Grand Prix.
