Mercedes GP: “The start of a new era”

After a cleverly orchestrated image leak to highlight a new partnership with BlackBerry, Mercedes GP has just officially lifted the veil on the latest addition to the Silver Arrows, the W04. Everyone behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz SLS Coupé Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg arrived on the starting grid in Jerez, Spain, where they then lifted the veil on their new version.

With technical regulations that have changed little since last year, the W04 is a “sophisticated” evolution of the W03, it is said. Led by chief engineer Aldo Costa and technical director Bob Bell, this project began at the beginning of summer 2012. From an aerodynamic point of view, the car is equipped with a new five-point front wing. elements, and new exhausts at the rear. Particular work has been carried out on the suspensions in order to improve the lifespan and performance of the tires, while the broken nose that the Silver Arrows had last year has been eliminated thanks to the new regulations which authorize the implementation of a “cache”, which would even offer a “small gain” in performance according to tests carried out by the German team.

“2013 marks the start of a second era for the Silver Arrows team”, judge Ross Brawn, Team Principal of Mercedes GP. This is notably the first season without Michael Schumacher, who had accompanied Mercedes since their return to Formula 1In 2010. “The restructuring we have undertaken over the last 18 months is paying off and this is evident in the F1 W04, which takes a significant step forward in design and sophistication of detail compared to its predecessors. », believes the Briton.

“Several thousand hours of work have been invested by our technical teams at Brackley and Brixworth to ensure that the new car will perform better compared to last season. We are also very proud to welcome Lewis Hamilton as an official Mercedes-Benz driver. With Lewis and Nico (Rosberg, editor’s note), "We have what we believe to be the strongest driver duo in Formula 1 and I know there is a healthy level of competition between the two drivers which will help the team progress.", concludes Ross Brawn, who is preparing to begin his fourth season at the head of Mercedes GP, this time with Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda at his side.

This afternoon Lewis Hamilton will take a few laps at the wheel of the W04. He will become the first Briton since Sir Stirling Moss to drive a Silver Arrow in Formula 1. It was in 1955.

See our photo gallery of the presentation of the Mercedes GP W04.