2014 World Champion’s Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS have officially launched the car they hope will retain their titles won last season.
Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton uncovered the W06 Hybrid in the pit lane of the Circuito de Jerez, just hours before the opening pre-season test at the Spanish circuit was scheduled to begin.
Last year saw Mercedes dominate in Formula 1, with Hamilton and Rosberg winning sixteen of the nineteen races, with the team being even more dominant in qualifying, with only Felipe Massa of Williams Martini Racing in Austria stopping them taking every pole position on offer in 2014.
Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Toto Wolff insisted the team had been working hard over the winter months to try to ensure that they stay ahead of the pack in 2015. He also stated that the team are not taking anything for granted, and realise that the results from 2014 mean little when it comes to the new season.
“From outside, winter might look like a rest time in Formula One. But this couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Wolff. “Long before the end of last season, development work on our 2015 car became the main priority. The winter months are the most intense, with everybody at Brackley and Brixworth working around the clock to prepare for the season ahead.
“It would be so dangerous to rest on our laurels after 2014 – but none of us have any sense that things will be easier now. On the contrary, our motivation is as high as ever. There’s a famous Babe Ruth quote I always say to people: “Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games”. We are fully aware that success is not only hard won but can also be short-lived without the right approach.”
Wolff added that it was an exciting time for the team to have launched their new W06 Hybrid, which had its installation runs during the past week during a filming day at a chilly Silverstone Circuit. He is looking forward to seeing the on-track battle between his drivers that raged wildly at times in 2014 resume, and hopes the car is good enough for them to be fighting each other for victories once more.
“The launch of a new car is an exciting moment for everybody involved,” insisted Wolff. “To see the product of all that hard work turn a wheel for the first time is a great source of pride – and rightly so.
“However, there is a long road ahead before we reach the first race. We must build a fast, reliable racing car to be able to compete with rivals whose ability and competitiveness can never be underestimated. At this point, every team is on zero points.
“The only thing we know for sure is that we have consistency in our driver line-up for the third year running and they know what’s expected of them, just as we know what they expect from us. We’re looking forward to seeing them push each other and the team forward. It will be another fascinating battle between the two but we must wait until Melbourne until we know if we have provided them with a car that allows them to fight each other for wins.”
