According to Mercedes-AMG, the all-new F1 W09 EQ Power+ is superior to its predecessor in every single way and is expected to improve on last year’s records on the track, thus becoming the fastest Mercedes F1 car in history.
Carrying the ‘EQ Power+’ designation, the new car stands as a beacon of hope for the automaker’s future performance hybrid models, which will be built under the EQ sub-brand.
For its first ever photo shoot, the W09 took to the track at Silverstone with Valtteri Bottas calling dibs on being the first one to get behind the wheel first. Appearance-wise, the new car features the Halo cockpit protection system and a less visually obtrusive aero fin above the engine cover.
“The W08 was the fastest car on the grid, scoring the highest number of pole positions and winning the most races last year. So we were careful not to lose the car’s many strengths just to overcome the difficulties,” stated team boss, Toto Wolff.
With the car raring to go, so is four-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, who briefly reflected on his career with Mercedes during the W09’s launch.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s already our sixth year together, it feels like it’s gone by so quick. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster together.”
After eight total days of pre-season testing in Barcelona, the all-new W09 EQ Power+ racer will head to Melbourne for the opening race of the 2018 Formula 1 season, March 25th.
