The Brackley-based team, known as the silver arrows, unveiled this Tuesday morning what is officially called the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance. The first noticeable thing of this machine is the special black livery. The team started running it last year as a way to show support for diversity and a stand against racism and discrimination everywhere – a particular cause that Lewis Hamilton embraced throughout the season.

But that is not the only characteristic the W12 carries over from last year’s W11. James Allison, Mercedes Technical Director, explained that things like the monocoque and the gearbox are essentially the same as last year. He also stated that, leaving the power units out of it, the aerodynamics were the main area of development, hiding some elements along the edge of the floor to keep competitors from trying to learn from it before the season starts.

With a 23-race season, Toto Wolff, team’s boss, explains that the whole team will be working under pressure and a bit of stress, especially the race team who also work with the jetlag and physical challenge that the race brings along. But that doesn’t stop them from pushing themselves and always bringing their best to the table.

“It’s fantastic to come back and finally get going.

Every year we reset our focus and define the right objectives,” said Wolff.

“That may sound simple but it’s damn hard and is probably why there are no sports teams out there with seven consecutive titles. So many things can happen and it’s very natural to get used to success, and therefore not fight as hard for it.

“But this team has not shown any of that. I see the same fire, hunger and passion now as I did the first time, I walked through the doors in 2013. Every season presents a new challenge and therefore, a new goal for us to achieve.”

As Sir Lewis Hamilton stated, one of his (and the team’s) goals is to push further for diversity and the fight for equality and against racism. With Valtteri Bottas as a teammate again this year, the stability and knowledge of how they work together will also be key for the team’s work to stay on the top of the grid.

Both drivers have been working during the winter break to better themselves, to find a way to stay in shape and start the season being a better version and fight for the title.

Both Hamilton and Bottas declared that seeing the brand-new car never gets old, but that is not going to distract them from giving a good fight to their competitors.

Introducing, W12! 🤩

Take a first look at how we’ll be unleashing #TheEnergyWithin with @MercedesAMGF1 this season 💚

As a team, #WeLivePerformance 👊 pic.twitter.com/JaAZVuSIV8

— PETRONAS Motorsports (@PET_Motorsports) March 2, 2021