Mercedes to reveal ‘W12 E Performance’ 2021 F1 car in March

Mercedes will launch its car for the 2021 Formula 1 season on 2 March.

The reigning world champions' 2021 car has been officially named the ‘Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance’, reflecting the new technology label used in product names and badging on all forthcoming Mercedes-AMG hybrid cars.

Mercedes is the third F1 team to confirm its launch plans ahead of the new season, and the digital reveal of its latest challenger will take place just over a week before pre-season testing gets underway in Bahrain on 12-14 March.

The German manufacturer is aiming to win an eighth consecutive world championship double with its new W12 car, having sealed both the drivers’ and constructors’ world titles for an unprecedented seventh straight time in 2020.

Mercedes technical chief James Allison recently claimed the 2021 aerodynamic regulation changes have provided the team with its “most intense” challenge to date as it looks to recoup lost downforce, despite teams carrying over their chassis from the 2020 season.

The launch date comes with Mercedes yet to confirm its full driver line-up for the upcoming 2021 season, with Lewis Hamilton yet to sign a new deal to extend his tenure at the team.

The seven-time world champion’s future has been a long-running saga and the subject of much speculation, though he is widely expected to continue with Mercedes alongside Valtteri Bottas, who penned a one-year extension in August.

McLaren is currently set to be the first F1 team to unveil its 2021 car, with the launch of its MCL35 taking place at its Woking base on 15 February, before Alfa Romeo presents its C41 challenger at a launch event in Warsaw on 22 February.

It's a date. 02-03-21. pic.twitter.com/9JKkLlrVry

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 2, 2021