Mercedes have unveiled their new W13 car which will be driven by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in 2022 F1 season.
This season will see Russell become the first graduate of Mercedes’ junior programme to race for the senior team in F1, having impressed in a three-season stint at Williams between 2019-21.
With new technical regulations now in force for the 2022 season, Mercedes’ biggest change sees the return of the silver livery, having sporting a black livery across 2020 & 21 seasons in support of the fight against racial injustices.
Further changes include a slimmer curved finishing of the front nose, sloped rear wing plus a sky blue and silver front wing livery, with the W13 car being a 98% fresh design with exception of the steering wheel which has been carried over from W12 car.
This season will also mark’s Hamilton’s tenth campaign for Mercedes after he joined from McLaren in 2013, which the seven-time champion described as “very surreal”, as he prepares for his third teammate within the team in which he described Russell as a “natural” fit.
On what his targets are for this season after a cruel controversial denial of an eighth title last season, Hamilton commented: “Going into this year, I haven’t really set any goals initially.
“Naturally I think within this team, every single individual within this team has worked towards the ultimate goal of winning the world championship and again raising the bar and doing nobody has ever done before.”
Like many drivers, Hamilton also insisted that he expects the car to “evolve” across the next nine months with “no idea how it is going to end.”
The seven-time champion also addressed rumours of his retirement as he insisted that he never had any intention of walking away from F1, despite the controversial stewarding of 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which cost him the title on the very last lap.
He also explained his approach to the off-season as he added: “… but it was obviously a difficult time for me and it was a time when I really needed to take a step back, focus on being present so I had my family around me, creating great moments.”
Hamilton also praised Russell for bringing a new type of “energy” and instantly interjecting the fresh motivation across the entire team.
Russell however humorously iterated that there could be fireworks in store as he teased that “the relationship is always built over time”, although he insists that he actually expects his new team dynamics to “feel quite natural” given his previous involvement as Reserve Driver in 2018.
On first sighting of the new W13, Russell described it as “incredible” to see the “hard work” of the engineers and factory staff finally come to fruition, having previously only done simulator work and had meetings in which they saw drawings.
Team Principal, Toto Wolff meanwhile is eager to “look into the future” and chase a ninth consecutive team’s title, following a “surreal” eighth constructors’ crown last season despite the overcasting “shadow” of the lost drivers’ title.
Yesterday (17 February) saw FIA axe Michael Masi as Race Director after his misconduct cost Hamilton an eighth crown in Abu Dhabi, whilst unveiling a new procedure including a Virtual Race Control, rotating race directors and appointment of Herbie Blash as Senior Advisor.
Wolff therefore is pleased with the “right steps” in making changes as he said: “I think it’s very encouraging to see that action has been taken. There is a much more robust structure now.”
On the topic of what he expects from Russell this season, Wolff teased: “He has already driven the car in Bahrain a couple of seasons ago and now he is a fully fledged racing driver and I’m personally excited to see him.”
Both Hamilton and Russell also participated in a W13 shakedown at Silverstone following the car’s unveiling, with both drivers successfully negotiating difficult weather conditions due to Storm Eunice wreaking havoc across the UK with severe high winds.
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