Mercedes has unveiled their W15 car for the 2024 F1 season. Toto Wolff, team principal of Mercedes, stated that it was always their plan to reintroduce silver into their livery, despite using a black livery in 2023 to reduce weight. The 2024 car features a more balanced combination of silver and black, with additional colors of INEOS red and Petronas teal. Mercedes hopes that this new livery will bring them back to the top of the podium on a regular basis. Wolff emphasized that performance was a key consideration when choosing the black livery in the previous year, as weight is crucial in the current generation of cars. He also highlighted the significance of the distinctive colors of INEOS and Petronas in reflecting the team’s identity.
Mercedes has a long history in F1, having competed in 1954 and 1955. During those years, they helped Juan Manuel Fangio win the drivers’ championship. The bare aluminum color of their cars earned them the nickname “Silver Arrows.” They adopted this branding again in 2010 when they took over Brawn GP. McLaren also used a silver chrome livery during their partnership with Mercedes from 2006 to 2013. Mercedes maintained their silver look from 2014 to 2019, winning 12 championships and establishing themselves as the dominant force in F1.
However, in 2020, Mercedes departed from their traditional silver livery. In response to the global Black Lives Matter movement and the murder of George Floyd, they changed to an all-black livery for the season. This decision was made to show their commitment to diversity and equality within their team and the sport of motorsport. Mercedes used their platform to speak up against racism and discrimination, stating that it has no place in society or in F1. They acknowledged the progress that still needs to be made and pledged to take positive action.
Despite the change in livery, Mercedes continued their dominance in F1 in 2020, with Lewis Hamilton equaling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world championships. The team only faced a few challenges throughout the year. In 2021, Mercedes kept the black livery but included a silver engine cover as a nod to their history. In 2022, they fully embraced their brand identity by reverting to a silver livery while maintaining their commitment to inclusivity and diversity in racing.
However, for the 2023 season, Mercedes decided to go back to black for practical reasons. They aimed to save weight and opted for a black car with exposed carbon fiber, reminiscent of the original Silver Arrows from the 1950s. This decision was made after facing difficulties in reducing the car’s weight the previous year.
Overall, Mercedes has shown a willingness to adapt their livery to reflect their values and goals as a team. From promoting diversity and equality to prioritizing performance and weight reduction, their livery choices have been strategic and meaningful.
According to the Source total-motorsport.com