Mercedes
Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport
GP Starts: 168
Wins: 76
Pole Positions: 88
Fastest Laps: 56
Drivers’ Championships: 6
Constructors’ Championships: 4
Drivers
44. Lewis Hamilton GBR
77. Valtteri Bottas FIN
2017 in review - Mercedes continued its rule of the Formula 1 world through the V6 hybrid era as it captured its fourth straight set of championships in 2017. However, it proved to be its greatest challenge to date following a resurgence from Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel, limiting Mercedes to only 12 race wins. The ‘diva’ W08 Hybrid car was tamed as the season wore on, which, combined with Ferrari’s own capitulation over the late-season Asian leg, paved the way for early title celebrations in Austin and Mexico. 2017 may not have been Mercedes’ smoothest title win, but it was by far its most significant as it defended its crowns across the technical regulation change.
What’s changed for 2018? - The core of Mercedes’ championship-winning formula remains largely unchanged. Lewis Hamilton will look to spearhead the team’s charge once again with support from Valtteri Bottas, who has a point to prove in his second season with the team as he bids for an extended contract. The team has stressed it feels more on top of its ‘diva’ car with the updated W09, and with the momentum of the last four seasons still pushing the team along, it is going to take something mighty from the opposition to stop a fifth set of titles heading to Brackley in 2018.
Key man - Lewis Hamilton. Even at 33, Hamilton hit the form of his life in 2017 as he saw off a spirited challenge from Vettel and Ferrari, delivering some crushing displays while rallying the team around him. Hamilton seems more comfortable now than at any other point in his F1 career, with an extended Mercedes contract beyond the end of this year appearing to be a mere formality. If Hamilton hits the same kind of form he did last year, he’ll be hard to beat. If he finds yet another gear, his rivals may not stand a chance.
Constructors’ Championship prediction - 1st
