Today was the day when Mercedes AMG F1 revealed their 2022 title campaign challenger in the form of the F1 W13. The launch was streamed live on the interweb, present was Lewis Hamilton, new boy George Russell and team principle Toto Wolff. Formula One in 2022 has ushered in sweeping new aerodynamic regulatory changes. And today we got a glimpse of Mercedes’ aero philosophy for the year ahead.

The body of the W13 is fairly reminiscent of the 2021 car in that the bodywork wraps tightly around the power unit and gearbox. The front wing is aggressively tailored to sweep air into the ground effect platform in order to get as much positive influence (downforce) as possible sweeping into the mid-section and exiting the rear section.

After the streamed launch, Mercedes immediately hit the track at Silverstone for a so-called shakedown test, which would be called a systems check. Because the 2022 regulation changes are so radical, no one team will have an immediate advantage. However, based on past form, Mercedes will have a power unit advantage.

Toto Wolff’s philosophy is that the team starts the 2022 season from zero. The past is firmly in the past.

“People are saying are we going to win another title and we don’t know if we are even in the hunt for another title. The hopes are that we have a competitive car, it is not a given with the new regulations.” 

“What I know is this team has always has been able, even if circumstances were difficult like at the beginning of last year, to just dig ourselves out of a disadvantage situation. Wherever the car is I’m sure we’ll be doing everything to competitive.”

“So my hope is that the car goes fast, and that Lewis and George are happy with how it drives. That would be a good starting point.”