Mercedes has unveiled its 2023 challenger, the W14, and its striking black livery is more to do with function than statement after the unloved W13. Previously to this, in 2020 and ’21, Mercedes ran a black livery as an anti-racist message, but this time it’s all about reducing weight as it seeks to reclaim its position at the top of the Formula 1 pile. “There is not tons of weight that you can save on the paint,” admitted team boss Toto Wolff, “but it shows the intent of what we do.” My concern is now that one team has gone all-carbon livery, to hit the minimum weight, the rest will all follow suit at some point – as we’ve already seen the majority gravitate towards it. And who wants to see a race with 20 all-black cars? By: Charles Bradley, Global Editor in Chief
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