F1: Mercedes W11 livery is unveiled
Formula 1 world champions Mercedes unveiled the livery for their new 2020 car, the W11, at an event in London on Monday.
The Silver Arrows, who have won the constructors’ championship for six successive seasons, also announced a new official principal partnership with INEOS at the Royal Automobile Club in England’s capital city.
Mercedes will now fully launch their 2020 challenger with a Valentine’s Day shakedown at Silverstone on Friday 14 February.
New car launch events will continue this week through to Monday 17 February.
The final two teams, Alfa Romeo and Haas, will then reveal their challengers on Wednesday 19 February, the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
Last week Haas published digital renderings of their VF-20 livery on social media.
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New partnership
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was joined at the event by INEOS chairman and chief executive Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
INEOS’s red branding appears on the new W11 car, which carries on the existing silver, black and green colour scheme.
Also remaining is the single red star in memory of F1 legend Niki Lauda.
Speaking about the new partnership, Wolff said: “It is a very proud moment for us to welcome INEOS to Mercedes in their new capacity as principal partner. The company’s ambition, dynamism and entrepreneurial flair are a perfect fit for the spirit of Mercedes-AMG Petronas.
“Both companies share a restless desire to improve every day and a strong commitment to achieving the very best results. Our partnership will be defined by tackling great challenges together – on the race track, on water and on the stages of the [cycling] Grand Tours – and we will be aiming to raise the bar in each of them.
“Furthermore, this new partnership is an important cornerstone of our future plans in Formula 1. It once again serves to demonstrate the attraction of the sport for ambitious, global brands with a long-term vision for success.”
Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, added: “It’s a proud moment for INEOS to become principal partner to the world’s best Formula 1 team – and by extension to one of the world’s most prestigious brands, Mercedes Benz.
“The Mercedes team is a leader in global sport and have consistently shown that they are at the forefront of technological innovation and human performance. Their grit and determination to redefine what is possible makes them a natural fit for INEOS.
“By strengthening our partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas it will allow us to identify and unlock even greater performance gains across the wider INEOS sports family.”
How fans reacted to the W11 livery
A look at some of the complimentary, and not so complimentary, reactions from F1 fans on Twitter…
It is absolutely fabulous %u2764 I love it so much xxx
— Tricia McA (@TriciaUtd) February 10, 2020
This is seriously beautiful and I want to see the W11 on track!
— rie the bucket hat goat (@High5Forever) February 10, 2020
Loving the red team %u2665%uFE0F
— JMiragliotta (@Jmiragliotta89) February 10, 2020
Can%u2019t wait to see the new livery on the 2020 car this Friday, it%u2019s going to be an absolute beauty %uD83D%uDE0D
— Matthew Plumb (@Plumby94) February 10, 2020
Very nice team! However I really do think the ’44’ should go back to being red especially with the red on the engine intake this year.
— Michael Wyles (@MJW_F1) February 10, 2020
No no, the W11 has a bit red on it %uD83D%uDE0A%uD83D%uDE02
— arbeiterkind %uD83C%uDFF4%uDB40%uDC67%uDB40%uDC62%uDB40%uDC73%uDB40%uDC63%uDB40%uDC74%uDB40%uDC7F%uD83C%uDDFF%uD83C%uDDE6 (@somekindagod) February 10, 2020
Damn it.
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) February 10, 2020
Thank you
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) February 10, 2020
Images: Mercedes-AMG F1 Twitter / Formula1.com
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