AMG also supply Formula 1 with the safety car and medical car - Photo Credit: Pirelli
Mercedes have today announced that they will race under the name Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team from next season.
The new name incorporates AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz. The brand already supplies both the F1 safety car and the medical car, and has done since 1996.
The team also announced today that their 2012 car will not make its official track debut until the second of the pre-season tests, on 21st February in Barcelona.
“Our new team name fuses the proud traditions of AMG and the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows at the pinnacle of motorsport, “ said Norbert Haug, Vice President at Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. “These three letters are synonymous with high technology, sporting performance and excitement and this step is a further strong sign of the strategic commitment Mercedes-Benz has made to Formula One. 16 of the 24 drivers on the grid at the season’s final Grand Prix in Brazil have, or have had, a connection to Mercedes-Benz.
“In addition to the role of a works team, our commitment to Formula One comprises the customer engine programme and supply of the official Safety and Medical Cars.”
Team principal Ross Brawn talked about the name change, and explained why the 2012 challenger would not be ready for the first winter test of 2012.
“We are very proud to reveal our new team name today,” said Brawn. “It adds another strong performance element to our team’s identity and, by virtue of being shared between Brackley and Brixworth, will forge even stronger links within our team.
“At the factory, we have been focused for some time on the challenge of 2012, and our very clear ambition to move forward up the grid next year. As always, the winter development and manufacturing processes are a trade-off between time for finding performance in the factory, and time for delivering that performance during pre-season testing.
“We believe that the decision to run the car at the second winter test is the optimum compromise for our design and development programme with F1 W03.”
