Mercedes unveiled its new W14 Formula 1 car for the 2023 season, revealing a return to the black livery that had been retired in 2021.
Mercedes revealed the W14 car alongside team principal Toto Wolf and drivers Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and reserve driver Mick Schumacher in a live-streamed event on Wednesday. The car is black and has striking livery features that Mercedes used in the 2020 and 2021 F1 seasons as part of its anti-racism messaging. Mercedes returned to its signature silver colour last season.
Although the new car has a slim sidepod (a mechanism that guides air into the vehicle to provide engine cooling ) concept from 2022, the team made noticeable changes to the design, including re-engineering the gulley bodywork on the engine cover.
The new car has “a significantly lighter chassis, revised front suspension geometry, cooling system adjustments, and a refined aerodynamic concept based on last year’s learning,” according to the team.
“Our hopes and expectations are always to be capable of fighting for a world championship. However, our competitors were strong last year, and we are playing catch-up. Racing at the front requires resilience, teamwork, and determination. We face up to every challenge, we put the team first, and we will leave no stone unturned in the chase for every millisecond. This year, we are going all in to get back in front,” said Wolf.
Last season, Mercedes struggled throughout the season. The team lost the constructors championship for the first time in eight years. It also lost the championship to its rival – Redbull Racing Team.
“We are now getting ready to start the next season. I see so much effort, motivation, and energy in the organisation to launch a car that will eventually be competitive enough to fight at the front of the grid,” said Wolf.