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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 25: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes WO9 on track during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 25: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes WO9 on track during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Over the years, Mercedes AMG have always held the traditional Silver-Blue livery that resembles the color of the Petronas logo. However, in 2020, the Brackley outfit took a sensational switch to an entirely black livery.
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Of course, the black livery has very much suited the car, with a lot of fans not wanting to return to silver. But would that be fair enough, especially to destroy Mercedes’ classic livery down to the ground?
Lewis Hamilton doesn’t think so!
What did Lewis Hamilton say?
As reported by Motorsport, Hamilton revealed that he wasn’t expecting Mercedes to stick with the black livery anywhere beyond 2020. But much to his surprise, they did, and now, Hamilton is ready to return to the usual Silver.
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Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 leads Valtteri Bottas driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“It is originally a silver arrows,” he said.
“When I asked if we could go to make the car black last year, in terms of the symbolism, and what we intend to do moving forward in terms of support, I wasn’t expecting it to last particularly long, and we carried it into a second season, which is awesome.
“If it goes back, it will be a nice change. It doesn’t deter us from the changes that we are making internally, as we continue to truly push for diversity, even working with all of our partners.”
It doesn’t make a difference: Mercedes F1 driver
Hamilton reckoned that the Mercedes have got an interesting program going on to inspire the younger generations. Hence, changing the livery from black to silver will hardly sabotage their ambition.
“Even the other day with UBS, we had these young kids come [and talk to us as we] try to inspire the next generation of engineers from all different backgrounds. We’ve got a good programme going, so it doesn’t make a difference,” he said.
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Formula One F1 – Russian Grand Prix – Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Russia – September 25, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during qualifying REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
Most of the F1 teams on the grid have got their own nickname; McLaren – Papaya, Aston Martin – 007, Ferrari – Prancing Stallion. Similarly, for Mercedes, it is ‘Silver Arrows,’ a name that the Brackley outfit earned from their attractive Silver livery.
So, amidst such an interesting history behind the Petronas colors, will Mercedes return to it? Or will they continue to stick with Black for the next season as well? Only time will tell.
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