Mercedes reveals 2022 F1 challenger as Hamilton returns
The seven-time world champion has kept a low profile since being cruelly denied the world championship in last year’s controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and only recently returned to social media following a two-month absence.
But Hamilton joined new teammate George Russell as the German manufacturer formally unveiled the Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance in an event that was hosted digitally on Friday morning.
The W13 sees Mercedes return to the traditional silver colour scheme it has run throughout much of its F1 history, having switched to an all-black livery for 2020 and 2021 as part of a stand against racism.
Mercedes is aiming to start F1’s revolutionary new rules era on a winning note by securing its ninth successive constructors’ world championship.
"We did pretty well during the last big regulatory change into the hybrid era and performed well when we went from the narrow to the wide cars in 2017," said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
"While we have a good track record, my message is clear: we can't rely on past success for this year's performance, but we can rely on our people, our culture, our structure, and our mindset to do the best possible job for 2022."
Hamilton, 37, is aiming to claim a record-breaking eighth drivers’ crown after missing out to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the contentious Yas Marina finale following an intense season-long tussle.
Hamilton and Mercedes protege Russell, who has been promoted from Williams as a replacement for Valtteri Bottas, will get behind the wheel of the W13 for the first time later on Friday for a shakedown at Silverstone.
The opening pre-season test takes place next week in Barcelona on February 23-25, before the 2022 season begins in Bahrain on March 20.
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