The 2014 world champions Mercedes AMG Formula 1 have officially unveiled its W06 Hybrid at Jerez, ahead of the first pre-season test.
Mercedes hopes that this car can help defend their drivers’ and constructors’ crowns in the upcoming Formula 1 season, as testing kicks off.
“The launch of a new car is an exciting moment for everybody involved,” said Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. “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 Silver Arrows completed a brief shakedown run earlier at Silverstone and the social media channel released a few initial ‘spyshots’ of the W06 Hybrid.
Title-winner Lewis Hamilton and championship runner-up Nico Rosberg tried the W06 Hybrid during the Silverstone run, with Rosberg set to carry out the first full test at Jerez before handing over to his team-mate for more development work.
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News stories:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2015/2/16790.html
http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2015/mercedes-amg-petronas-gets-back-work-new-f1-w06-hybrid-silver-ar/
http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2015/petronas-technical-excellence-landmark-year/
http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2015/f1-w06-hybrid-launch/
http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2015/2015-technical-q-andy-cowell/
http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2015/2015-technical-q-paddy-lowe/
Nico Rosberg vowed ‘maximum attack’ in a new title battle with Formula One world champion team mate Lewis Hamilton on Sunday as Mercedes unveiled their 2015 car before pre-season testing started in Jerez.
“I know the feeling of winning and of fighting for a championship after last year, but I also know the feeling of not winning in the end and I don’t want to repeat that,” said the German.
“It’s an extra boost and it gives me so much motivation for the year ahead.”
Rosberg, son of Finland’s 1982 champion Keke, won five races last year to Hamilton’s 11 and finished runner-up in a dominant season for his team and one that saw the drivers’ relationship tested to the limit.
Mercedes are again expected to set the pace, even if the cars have not changed dramatically since last year’s debut of the new V6 turbo hybrid power units and rivals hope to have closed the gap.
“It will be massively tough to repeat what we achieved in 2014 but we all want to keep that momentum going and to dominate the sport for many years to come,” said Rosberg.
“We know the opposition will be right there, so we have to keep pushing flat out to have any chance of doing that. Nothing is for certain but, whatever happens, I know it will be another great battle with Lewis.
“This year is the rematch for me and I’m massively motivated for it.”
Hamilton, now a double world champion after taking his first title with McLaren in 2008, agreed that there could be no complacency.
The Briton said he was also fired up for the season which starts in Australia on March 15.
“You hear about people who achieve a lot but then lose their focus and you wonder; at what point does it fade off? I’m grateful that the fire is still there in me,” he said.
“I think subconsciously the taste of success spurs me on. I like that feeling and I want to feel it again and again,” added the 30-year-old.
“I’m glad me and Nico had the battle we did last year. I love winning races but it just feels so much better when you have to fight for it. I just want to get back out there, race hard, be the best I can be and hopefully win some more.”
Source: Reuters