Mercedes have set March 2 as a date to launch their new car they hope will extend their record-breaking streak of Formula 1 titles.
The car, which will be used to defend both the drivers’ and constructors’ championship, will be named Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance and known as the W12.
Mercedes has yet to sign Lewis Hamilton for 2021, but the reigning champion is expected to continue alongside Valtteri Bottas at the team this year.
The W nomenclature is derived from parent company Daimler’s original naming system and is short for the German word ‘Wagen’.
It's a date. 😘 02-03-21. pic.twitter.com/9JKkLlrVry
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 2, 2021
The ‘E Performance’ designation is the new “technology label” that will be used on all forthcoming Mercedes-AMG hybrid cars.
Due to cost saving regulations, the W12 will share the same chassis as last year’s W11 but a number of aerodynamic changes will be made to comply with new rules aimed at slowing the cars down.
The W12 is expected to retain Mercedes’ black livery first used in 2020, but is likely to feature more red to underline the team’s closer association with Mercedes’ sub-brand AMG.
Mercedes is the third team to confirm a launch date for its new car, with McLaren opting for February 15 and Alfa Romeo choosing February 22.
