Mercedes F1 W04 Unveiled

 The Mercedes-Benz factory team has unveiled its latest creation, destined to battle in the 2013 Formula 1 series. Mercedes is claiming this car, like the other vehicles we’ve seen so far, is an evolution of last year’s competitor.

 

As seems to be standard, the new “vanity panel” has been fitted to the nose for a cleaner overall look while maintaining optimal aerodynamic properties. There’s bigger news at Mercedes than its newest car, though.

 

There have been major personnel changes over the winter, notably Lewis Hamilton taking the place of Michael Schumacher, who’s beginning his sophomore retirement. Hamilton will be driving alongside returning challenger Nico Rosberg, who captured his first career victory at last season’s Chinese Grand Prix. Rosberg finished ninth last season, with only one other podium (a second place in Monaco). Hamilton, meanwhile, had an impressive final season at McLaren, with four wins (Canada, Hungary, Italy, and the United States) and podium finishes in Australia, Malaysia, and China.

 

The Mercedes factory team had a tough go in 2012, though, finishing a distant fifth behind a resurgent Lotus-Renault, while pipping Sauber-Ferrari by 16 points. With a driver that’s won 21 races and a world championship since 2007, and a driver that’s shown signs of brilliance behind the wheel, we’re thinking Mercedes may prove a bit of a spoiler to the Ferrari-McLaren-Red Bull trifecta. We’ll find out in Australia.