Mercedes launch new Formula 1 car: W14 revealed for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell title challenge

Mercedes have taken the covers off the W14 car tasked with returning them to title contention after disappointing 2022; Lewis Hamilton and George Russell form all-British driver line-up and hoping to battle Red Bull and Ferrari drivers more this season

Mercedes have unveiled their much-anticipated new black Formula 1 car for what Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will hope is a bounce-back 2023 championship challenge.

The Silver Arrows, F1’s dominant and record-breaking force from 2014 to 2021, fell back to a shock third place last season and the W14 is the car tasked with returning the team to title contention with Red Bull and Ferrari.

It is also the machine Hamilton will be bidding to seal a record eighth drivers’ crown in after falling to his worst-ever F1 campaign in sixth in 2022.

Mercedes have promised an all-new “DNA” for the W14 after their struggles in the first year of F1’s rules overhaul and the covers were pulled off it at Silverstone on Wednesday morning.

The car is back to a black livery after a year in silver in 2022.

Both Hamilton and Russell are driving the car for the first time around the Northamptonshire circuit later today.

The performance of the car isn’t the only thing fans will be itching to see this year, for the second season of Hamilton and Russell’s all-British partnership also promises to be blockbuster.

Russell enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign with Mercedes in 2022, winning the team’s only race of the year and becoming the first team-mate to outscore Hamilton in a season since Nico Rosberg in 2016.

Hamilton, off the back of his hugely controversial title defeat to Max Verstappen the year before, struggled more than Russell in the difficult W13 car.

2023 represents the final year of Hamilton’s contract although the 38-year-old intends to sign on for what will more than likely be his final F1 deal, with team boss Toto Wolff indicating talks will ramp up soon.

“I love being part of a team that is working towards a common goal,” said Hamilton. “I always believe I can get better. I always love that challenge, the physical and mental element, having to deep dive and extract more performance from yourself and the people around you.

“The car is always changing, there’s always new tools, and I love that. I’m planning to stay here a little bit longer.”

Pre-season testing is on February 23-25 in Bahrain before the season begins at the same track with the Bahrain GP on March 5.

Testing as well as every practice, qualifying and race session will be live on Sky Sports F1.

More to follow…