Mercedes-Benz’s modern Formula 1 revival, marked by the creation of a works team in 2010, ignited a spectacular ascent in the Grand Prix hierarchy. This new chapter for the Racing Benz marque immediately captivated fans with the sensational comeback of Michael Schumacher. However, the team’s performance on the track quickly became the main story, securing three podium finishes in their inaugural season, all thanks to Nico Rosberg. Rosberg then achieved a momentous breakthrough with a pole position and victory double at the Chinese Grand Prix in 2012, signaling the racing Benz team’s growing prowess.
The subsequent season saw Rosberg partnered with Lewis Hamilton, forming a formidable duo that would engage in legendary title battles. These Silver Arrows, representing the racing Benz legacy, proceeded to dominate Formula 1, becoming one of the most powerful forces in the modern era – a reign that lasted until challenged by Red Bull. Despite this shift, with the experienced race winner George Russell now alongside rising talent Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, and the racing Benz spirit, remain a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing F1 narrative.
2024
Despite securing two victories each for George Russell and Lewis Hamilton with the somewhat unpredictable W15, the team experienced a drop to fourth place in the overall standings. The season commenced with the shocking announcement of Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari at the end of the year, marking a significant shift in the F1 landscape for the racing Benz team and beyond.
2023
In a stark contrast to their prior success, 2023 marked the first year since 2011 that the racing Benz team failed to win a single Grand Prix. The W14 car proved to be only marginally improved from its predecessor, presenting significant challenges. However, the team’s unwavering commitment to development and continuous improvement throughout the season enabled them to ultimately surpass Ferrari in the constructors’ standings, securing second place in the final round, demonstrating the resilience inherent in the racing Benz approach.
2022
The introduction of radical rule changes in Formula 1 dramatically altered the competitive order. Mercedes’ W13 challenger did not meet expectations, placing them behind Red Bull and Ferrari in the pecking order. In his first season with the team, George Russell achieved Mercedes’ sole victory of the year and also outscored Lewis Hamilton. Notably, it was the first winless season in Lewis Hamilton’s illustrious F1 career, highlighting the impact of the regulatory changes on even the most dominant racing Benz teams.
2021
The 2021 season presented the most formidable challenge to Mercedes’ dominance in the turbo-hybrid era. Lewis Hamilton, despite winning eight races, narrowly missed out on the drivers’ championship title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in a highly contested season. Nevertheless, the racing Benz team demonstrated their depth and consistency by securing the constructors’ title for an unprecedented eighth consecutive season, showcasing the strength of the Mercedes racing program.
2020
Just when it seemed Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton had reached their peak, they elevated their performance even further. Hamilton achieved a remarkable 11 race wins and shattered numerous records en route to securing his seventh drivers’ title, equaling Michael Schumacher’s record. This achievement was even more impressive considering he missed a race due to Covid-19. Adding to the team’s success, Valtteri Bottas contributed two wins, resulting in another dominant double championship victory for the Silver Arrows and the racing Benz legacy.
