The objective is clear for the eight-time constructors' world champion team: "this year, we are going to do everything to get back to the top", promises its boss Toto Wolff.

To optimize its chances, the traditional gray of the "Silver Arrows" worn by the W13 in 2022 gives way to black on the W14, which will be driven by the British George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, in order to reduce the weight of the single-seaters.

"We were overweight last year, so we tried this year to see we could lose the slightest gram", - by not painting certain carbon parts, explained Toto Wolff, during a presentation in line of the W14.

And to ensure: "we do not neglect any detail in our quest for the slightest millisecond".

The team had already displayed this style in 2020 and 2021, in tribute to the fight against racial discrimination dear to Lewis Hamilton.

"The color black became part of our DNA at that time, so we're happy to have it back," Wolff said.

"Stay humble"

The main challenge for Mercedes this season will be to get back into the title race after a rocky 2022 season, marked by only one victory for the "Silver Arrows" in 22 races, that of George Russell at the Brazilian GP at the end of the season.

An official photo provided by the Mercedes team showing its new Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E single-seater presented at Silverstone (Great Britain) on February 15, 2023. © - / MERCEDES/AFP

The team had finished 3rd in the constructors' championship, well behind the ultra-efficient Red Bulls, and behind Ferrari.

"Our hopes lie in being able to fight for a world championship, but our competitors were very strong last year, and we have to catch up," assured his boss.

In 2022, the German manufacturer, which has been so successful in recent years, has tried somehow to get rid of problems, particularly related to the aerodynamics of its single-seater.

The W13, born of a singular aerodynamic concept linked to the new regulations that came into force a year ago, had given its pilots a hard time.

But in this race for the ninth title, Wolff remains no less lucid with his new W14, which still retains the qualities of its predecessor: "we are on the slope where we wanted to be in terms of performance but we don't know not where the others are, I think you have to stay humble, especially after the last year".

Hamilton for a new record?

For Lewis Hamilton, who is entering his 11th season with Mercedes, the return of the German team to the forefront has another challenge: that of winning an 8th world title, synonymous with a record.

Without a win in 2022, the seven-time category champion had the very first white season of his career since 2007. He finished 6th in the championship, his worst result in sixteen seasons.

An official photo provided by the Mercedes team showing its new Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E single-seater presented at Silverstone (Great Britain) on February 15, 2023. © - / MERCEDES/AFP

But no question for "Sir Lewis" to abdicate: "I still love racing, I think there has never been a change in my DNA, I always believed that I could improve myself", assured the 38-year-old driver, whose contract with Mercedes ends at the end of the season.

“To see the evolution of the car and the changes that have been made is fascinating. We have redesigned, optimized and innovated so many parts, it is impressive,” he added.

Hamilton and his teammate George Russell, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Wednesday, are expected on the track at Silverstone (England) during the day to perform their first laps with the W14, before pre-season testing in Bahrain (23- February 25), theater of the first GP of the season on March 5.

After Mercedes, the French Alpine will be the last team to unveil its 2023 single-seater on Thursday, the A523 which has already completed its first laps on Monday, during a drive with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly at the wheel.

© 2023 AFP