Mercedes reveals 2022 F1 car launch and shakedown date
The reigning F1 world champions became the fourth team to confirm its launch plans on Tuesday, with Mercedes set to take the covers off its W13 E Performance one day after Ferrari reveals its new car.
After unveiling its 2022 F1 car in a “special digital launch event”, Mercedes’ latest challenger will then make its track debut at Silverstone with a shakedown programme to complete initial system checks.
Mercedes has not confirmed whether Lewis Hamilton or new signing George Russell will get behind the wheel of the W13 first.
18/2/22. Meet the Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance pic.twitter.com/uv6oCGmNHh
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) January 18, 2022
Recent reports claim that Hamilton is waiting on the outcome of an FIA investigation into the controversial ending to last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in which he lost the world championship to Max Verstappen before deciding whether to return for the 2022 season.
The seven-time world champion was said to be “disillusioned” by the events of the last few laps in Abu Dhabi and has not spoken publicly or on social media since the December 12 race.
Mercedes heads into F1’s new era of technical regulations hoping to continue its unprecedented run of eight consecutive constructors’ world championships.
As things stand, Aston Martin will be the first team to launch its new car for 2022 on February 10, with McLaren and Ferrari revealing their respective challengers on February 11 and February 17.
The first of two three-day pre-season tests begin in Spain between February 23-25, before the opening race of the 23-round campaign takes place in Bahrain on March 20.
