The Mercedes brand has been around motorsports since 1934, competing in the European Grand Prix. Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team first originated in 1954, with the W196 chassis, and first raced in the Formula One championship in 1954 French GP. 589 races later, Mercedes are standing in fourth place in the 2024 season, with eleven constructors championships.
The exciting move into Formula One came through purchasing the Brawn GP team (formerly Honda) in 1995. The team that was purchased had a variety of different names. From 1970 to 1998, Tyrrell was the name; later changed to BAR between 1999 and 2005, where in 2006 it changed to Honda. Mercedes-Benz purchased a 75.1% stake in Brawn GP, renaming the brand to Mercedes for the 2010 season.
Juan Manuel Fangio became Mercedes’ first driver for the team and the first championship winner, paired with Karl Kling, Hans Herrmann, Hermann Lang; all driving the Mercedes-Benz W196. However, after a full season in Formula One in 1955, Mercedes disappeared from the Formula One world until 1994.
Mercedes engines were provided to McLaren as a brand partnership, which was largely successful with 78 wins and one Constructors Championship.
It is undoubted that Mercedes’ greatest achievements include seven World Drivers’ Championship titles won by Lewis Hamilton (6) and Nico Rosberg (1) from 2014 onwards. The turbo-hybrid era marked the turning point for the team, and success followed them to the future.
Mercedes has stood on the podium 612 times, with 222 being on the top step since the team began, hosting significant drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Stirling Moss.
Let us know in the comment section your favourite Mercedes era!
Written by Frankie.
Featured Image Credit: media.formula1.com
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