The livery of Mercedes’ 2022 challenger has had a mixed reception on social media, with some F1 fans branding it “awful”, while others have praised it.
Mercedes unveiled their new car, the W13, on Friday – just ahead of pre-season testing, which will kick off in Barcelona next week.
After two years of running a predominantly black livery, as part of their campaign against racism following the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in the US, the team have reverted to having a primarily silver car.
Mercedes’ 2022 livery features hints of red, blue and black, which is fairly consistent with what they have run in the last decade or so.
Following the W13’s launch on Friday, some F1 fans quickly took to social media to express their disapproval of the livery.
One social media user in particular suggested it was possibly the “worst livery” of 2022, but not everyone was in agreement.
One fan offered Mercedes some advice on how they could easily tidy up their livery:
Mercedes entering 2022 with ‘no sense of entitlement’
Speaking after the launch of the W13, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stressed that they are entering the new season with “no sense of entitlement” and said there are no guarantees that they will be competitive.
“The hopes are that we have a competitive car, it is not a given with the new regulations,” said Wolff.
“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.
“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.”
Continuing, the Austrian said they are hopeful that their 2022 challenger will be competitive and will be to the liking of Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
“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.”