Mercedes F1 W12 Race Car Is Looking To Add 8th Championship
New regulations loom for 2022, so Mercedes is in a transitional year with the F1 W12, and its two drivers.
The past week was filled with a number of announcements from various teams. But of course at MBWorld, our main interest is with the F1 W12 from AMG. Mercedes’ live reveal of the car featured the usual suspects. Toto Wolff was his usual chipper self, and pleased with the car. Valtteri Bottas was looking forward to competition this year. And Lewis Hamilton – now Sir Lewis Hamilton – was a bit reserved.
When the car was finally revealed, Wolff appeared proud of his successes. “It’s exciting because we will not see many differences in terms of spending between the teams. And it becomes exciting, we love the challenge,” Wolff says. Of course anyone in AMG’s position want’s to continue their domination as they have under Hamilton.
Speaking of Hamilton, he was asked why Mercedes chose to sign a one year contract with the multi-champ. “I’ve accomplished everything I have wanted to accomplish,” Hamilton noted. Bottas took an equally humble approach. Regarding Hamilton’s success, Bottas says, “it motivates me. But I’m also focused on myself. I feel like it’s important to prioritize what you’re doing.”
Mercedes didn’t actually reveal the full car either. At one point in the video, Mercedes AMG F1 technical director James Allison steps in to discuss the car. Allison mentions that the side skirts and the under-tray areas of the car have been intentionally left ambiguous, in order to give teams an element of surprise come race day. “It just buys us a couple of weeks extra,” Allison notes. That’s how you know AMG is serious. They even see how the competition can take advantage of a reveal.
But this is a year where “we’ll see” will be a common saying. With all new tech specs coming for 2022, Mercedes have kept their options open for new drivers. The spending cap could mean Hamilton’s handsome paycheck might be affected. This could potentially lead him to another team, as a manufacturer like Mercedes is potentially more willing to put the money behind the car. We’ll see.
Join the MB World forums now!
Photos: Mercedes
Join the MB World forums now!
