The current team of constructors’ champions announced the new design of the Mercedes W11 car on Monday before the start of the season this weekend in Austria.
Mercedes has traditionally raced in silver throughout its time in F1, dating back to 1954, but will now race in black throughout the new season.
The new black livery base retains the green trim of the main sponsor, Petronas, the red elements of the main partner INEOS and the mottled star design on the engine cover. The car will also work with ‘End Racism’ written on the Halo.
Pilots Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will compete in black jumpsuits until 2020, and will also adjust their helmet designs accordingly.
Mercedes also confirmed that it will launch a new diversity and inclusion program before the end of the season to address the lack of diversity within the team, with only 3% of its workforce identified as belonging to a minority ethnic group.
“Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a core belief in Mercedes. But having the right beliefs and the right mindset is not enough if we remain silent,” said the team principal. , Toto Wolff.
“We want to use our voice and our global platform to uphold respect and equality, and Silver Arrow will run black throughout the 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport.”
“We will not shy away from our weaknesses in this area, or the progress that we still have to make; our livery is our public promise to take positive action.
“We intend to find and attract the best talent from the widest possible range of backgrounds, and to create credible pathways for them to reach our sport, to build a stronger and more diverse team in the future.”
It is the latest major statement from the F1 world amid global protests against racial injustice, sparked by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
The Mercedes Hamilton driver, the only black driver in F1 history, has been especially vocal in recent weeks, calling on the “white-dominated” F1 community to be more aware of racism and racial injustice. .
Hamilton also recently announced plans for a new commission aimed at improving diversity within the motorsport and STEM industries.
“It is so important that we take advantage of this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, a brand or a company to make significant changes in ensuring equality and inclusion,” said Hamilton.
“I have personally experienced racism in my life and I have seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I ask for a change.
“When I spoke to Toto about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stay together.
“We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leader and we can start to build more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to start a dialogue on how they can implement the change “.
F1 launched a new campaign called ‘We Race as One’ last week, promoting inclusion and greater diversity in the sport. The brand for this campaign will be present in all 20 cars in Austria, as well as being a key part of F1’s messages for next season.
Mercedes is the second team to make a late change to its livery before the new season. Williams unveiled its new look last Friday after parting ways with main sponsor ROKiT in May.
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