It’s a big season for Mercedes. Since their buy-out of the Brawn GP team in 2010 the German manufacturer has somewhat underperformed in Formula One.
Nico Rosberg may have provided the team with their maiden victory last season, but overall the team have suffered disappoints.
The much anticipated return from retirement of seven time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher did not go to plan and Mercedes struggled to fifth place in the constructors last season, a whopping 161 points behind fourth place Lotus and 236 points behind McLaren who use Mercedes power.
This season though Mercedes have big ambitions, on the track Michael Schumacher has once again retired and 2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton makes the move over from McLaren.
In the team Mercedes have also made a number of high profile changes, Mercedes Team principal Ross Brawn remains following a number of rumours suggesting he was about to move on, while Toto Wolff is the new head of Mercedes-Benz motorsport.
Some of the changes that Mercedes are making are for future seasons, especially 2014 with the new regulation changes. But 2013 should be an improvement and Lewis Hamilton is looking forward to a new challenge.
‘This year is about one step at a time. Finish the first race, getting on the podium, then trying to win races.’ he told the BBC.
‘This year is about trying to get settled in the team, get a good working relationship and working to steer this car in the right direction and also next year’s car.
‘We have to deliver as a team, of course, but I am not a miracle worker. I’m going to work as hard as I can with the team to make steps forward.
‘The target is to improve on last year. Last year they didn’t have a strong year.
The W04 has a different rear end to the last car with a few changes to the DRS regulations for this year, Mercedes have had to work on a different aerodynamic package.
The front nose is still broken, it’s not as harsh as last years version, but in comparison to some of the other designs this year it’s not the prettiest of the bunch.
