Just twelve weeks after the 2020 Formula One season concluded, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team proudly presented its latest machine: the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance, ready to compete in the 2021 championship. The unveiling of the W12 Mercedes took place at the team’s Brackley technical centre, coinciding with the grand opening of their brand-new Race Bays – a cutting-edge facility meticulously constructed over the preceding 18 months.
The period between seasons has been anything but quiet at the Mercedes factories. Team members have been working tirelessly, driven by the relentless pursuit of performance gains. Their mission: to ensure the W12 Mercedes would be primed and ready for the track on schedule. This involved countless hours, demanding deadlines, and critical decision-making across every department. It’s a testament to the collective dedication and effort of each individual within the team, all united by a common goal.
Toto Wolff, the Team Principal, highlighted the team’s unwavering focus and ambition. “Every year we reset our focus and define the right objectives,” Wolff explained. “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.”
However, Wolff emphasized that complacency is not in this team’s DNA. “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. 2021 brings changes to the regulations, which could impact our competitiveness, plus the cost cap and working on the major rule changes of 2022. These challenges excite us.” The Mercedes W12 embodies this excitement and the team’s determination to tackle the season ahead with full force.
