Mercedes enters the scene with the W08!
The first images of the triple world champion's new machine have been released. The W08 is already hard at work at Silverstone!
Undefeated for three seasons, the Brackley team has just unveiled its new jewel for the upcoming season. It was during a promotional filming day that the new Silver Arrow roared to life. Eagerly, Lewis Hamilton blazed the asphalt first, doing a few installation laps this morning. Valtteri Bottas, the Englishman’s new teammate, will take the wheel this afternoon for his very first official drive in a Mercedes.
This alternation will be tested again next week during the very first private tests of the 2017 season. Hamilton and Bottas will have half-day sessions on track to avoid fatigue and maximize mileage. This time, it’s the driver bearing number 77 who will have the privilege of driving on Monday morning at the Catalunya circuit. Lewis Hamilton will step into the cockpit in the afternoon. This pattern will be repeated on Wednesday, while the roles will be reversed on Tuesday and Thursday (Hamilton in the morning / Bottas in the afternoon).
Until then, the focus was mainly on the official presentation of the beast this Thursday, with a grand showcase on social media, in 360° camera, if you please.
The main change at Mercedes is therefore the arrival of Bottas, coming from Williams and replacing the now-retired Nico Rosberg. It’s a career opportunity for the Finn, who will need to perform very well against the formidable triple world champion.
For the Briton, the goal is clear: to conquer a fourth world title; having fiercely fought throughout the 2016 season against Nico Rosberg.
On the technical side, the star brand’s leading engineer, Paddy Lowe, has moved to Williams. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that his departure, only confirmed at the beginning of January, did not prevent him from contributing to the creation of this new-generation single-seater. Unlike the other cars unveiled so far, the nose of the W08, slim and gently sloped, is quite similar to that of the W07. Only the length differs slightly. Furthermore, this new German creation is (for now?) not equipped with the shark fin at the rear, unlike Renault, Force India, or even Sauber.
You’ve seen it LIVE, now see the @MercedesAMG F1 W08 #EQPower+ where it belongs… on the race track #F1 #F12017 pic.twitter.com/Skjm5ZY4l1
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) 23 février 2017
For aesthetics, let’s highlight the appearance of a touch of blue to accompany the green and gray of Petronas, the team’s main sponsor.
Technical detail images of the new Mercedes AMG F1 launching & testing at Silverstone circuit today #Mercedes #MercedesAMGF1 #MercedesW08 pic.twitter.com/BwkuuTIM4K
— SUTTON IMAGES (@suttonimages) 23 février 2017
