By Adam Tate, Associate Editor
Mercedes unveiled their 2018 car today at a cold Silverstone circuit.
The brand new W09 is the latest in the royal bloodline that has won four consecutive drivers and constructors championships. If the team can achieve that feat again this season, they will equal the success of the Michael Schumacher era at Ferrari.
To do so the new W09 will need to be less of a diva than its predecessor which saw Ferrari put up a close fight and get Sebastian Vettel past Valtteri Bottas in the drivers standings, the first time Mercedes did not enjoy a one-two finish in the drivers championship since the V8 era in 2013.
To that end, Team Principal Toto Wolff said, “We hope we that we have kept the best of the diva and got rid of the other qualities.”
The new car turned a few filming laps at the historic British circuit and was then introduced to the press by drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
The car is a clear evolution of the W08, but appears to be more tightly packaged and streamlined. Like all the cars unveiled so far there are significant changes around the sidepod air inlets, the bargeboards, and flow conditioners between the front wheels and the leading edge of the floor.
Hamilton, the reigning F1 champion, is also on the verge of signing a new contract with the team, which is expected to be completed soon.
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