Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team announced the launch date of their new car, the W13, which will be unveiled on Friday 18 February.
On Tuesday, Mercedes became the fourth team to announce its launch intentions, with the reigning Formula One champions planning to unveil their W13 E Performance just a day after Ferrari unveils its 2022 Formula 1 campaign.
The team confirmed the news on social media, and the full name of the car will be the Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance as they contend for a ninth Constructors’ championship title in a row.
After racing in a black color scheme for the 2020 and 2021 F1 seasons, in December it was alleged that the team will return to their former silver livery for 2022 season.
Mercedes had given a teaser for their 2022 car earlier on in January when the team posted images and also a video firing up its 2022 power unit for the first time on social media.
Mercedes’ newest challenger will make its track debut at Silverstone with a shakedown session to complete early system checks after presenting its 2022 F1 car in a digital launch event.
As F1 enters what should be an exciting new era, the reigning eight-time world champions will be looking to maintain their dominance and run of championships.
Mercedes has not stated yet if Lewis Hamilton or newcomer George Russell will be the first to take the wheel of the W13.
According to sources, Hamilton is awaiting the results of an FIA inquiry into the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale, where he lost the championship title to Max Verstappen. The outcome of the inquiry will determine whether the Brit will be competing in the 2022 season.
The seven-time world champion was believed to be “disillusioned” by the events of the final laps in Abu Dhabi, and has not spoken publicly or on social media since the race on December 12.
It is expected that the 2022 regulations will encourage closer racing, with the new teams at the front, but you can assume Mercedes will also do all they can to remain at the top of the game.
The first of two three-day pre-season tests will take place in Spain from February 23 to 25, followed by the opening race of the 23-race season in Bahrain on March 20.
