World Champions Mercedes launches title-chasing W12

Formula 1 World Champions Mercedes has unveiled its W12, the car with which it hopes to secure a record-extending eighth successive title.

Mercedes has not been beaten to a Formula 1 title in the turbo hybrid era and last year claimed a seventh successive crown, besting Ferrari’s previous record of six on the bounce.

Mercedes took 16 pole positions and 13 victories during the truncated 17-round season, beaten only at Silverstone, Monza, Sakhir and Yas Marina.

The team will continue with an unchanged driver line-up for a fifth straight year and has adapted the predominantly black livery that it adopted in 2020 as part of its equality drive.

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Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton last season equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles and surpassed the German’s tally of 91 wins, pushing the new benchmark to 95.

Hamilton and Mercedes announced in early February that they had reached an agreement to continue their partnership for the 2021 season.

Valtteri Bottas, runner-up in the championship for the past two years, was retained by Mercedes last summer.

This year also marks the start of a new ownership structure at Mercedes in the wake of December’s changes.

Mercedes’ parent company Daimler, chemicals firm INEOS – which joined as a partner in early 2020 – and boss Toto Wolff – who is committed through at least 2023 – are now equal one-third shareholders.