For the first time since their return to the Formula 1 championship as an independent team, Mercedes AMG launched their car on Thursday without the current drivers’ champion Nico Rosberg who decided to retire five days after being crowned world champion. Although, losing a world champion from the grid is something no fan would wish for, the retirement of Rosberg nevertheless set off a chain of interesting events that won’t just affect the 2017 grid only but also might have a huge effect on the 2018 season, yet it would hugely affect the Mercedes team also.
Everyone was excited to see the new Mercedes W08, which impressed most if not all Formula 1 fans with the new look following the new rule changes and impressive body and paint work details the team put together. However the car was not just what everyone was waiting for. The car release was the first time the new driving partners, Hamilton and Bottas, were together in front of the media. Such incident will not have such interest if it weren’t for the history this team had between Rosberg and Hamilton and the rivalry that spiced things up on several occasions. Mercedes had Q&A’s set up following the car launch, and the hype lived up to the expectations.
Lewis Hamilton was up first and as usual the Englishman turned the competition up. The Brit, who lost his title last year following two dominating seasons, was clear admitting he is working hard to recover his title. He added that he was working hard on his mistakes and weaknesses and went further revealing he’s also keeping an eye on his rivals’ strengths and weaknesses especially his teammate. Hamilton is clearly not giving up on winning his fourth title or reducing his competitiveness but will he have an intense rivalry with his new teammate or things will be less tense in the new era?
Valtteri Bottas ended the rounds of interviews and launch day at Silverstone and the new comer is clearly setting his sights up high. From the start of the interview he made it clear he wanted to win races and having the eyes on the prize. When asked if he will bring the fight to his new teammate, he confidently answered he is going to else he would be at home. The Fin was clear he was ready to fight for wins and to fill the shoes of a champion he is replacing.
With the new duo going into the new season they surely will have part of the spotlight on them whether the rivalry will be tense or not. Both drivers made sure to deliver a message that none of them was backing down and that they are both prepared for the challenges next season. Who will have the upper hand at the end is a question everyone is waiting for its answer.