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Mercedes unveils W05 in Jerez

ESPN Staff
January 28, 2014 « Lotus nose needs clarification - Toro Rosso | Red Bull launches 2014 title defender »
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Mercedes has launched its 2014 car, W05, at the Jerez circuit ahead of the first day of pre-season testing.

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who renew their partnership for the second year, pulled the covers off in the Jerez pitlane on Tuesday morning. Mercedes finished a distant second to Red Bull in the constructors' championship last season and will hope the W05 can sustain a title challenge under the new regulations in 2014.

The car retains its usual silver livery, with a striking green across the car as part of the sponsorship with Petronas. The team has also steered clear of an unusual looking nose, which has been a feature of several teams' launches this season.

"For 2014 we have probably the greatest change in regulations in Formula One history and the start of a new era for our sport," said executive director (technical) Paddy Lowe. "From a technical and also a racing perspective, this is an incredibly exciting time for Formula One. We are introducing technologies that are new not just to racing but to the wider automotive world as well. The headline is that of improved efficiency and the fact that we will be completing races with advanced Hybrid systems on just 100 kg of fuel sends a great message about the technology that Formula One can deliver.

"But it is also about the technology that Mercedes-Benz can develop compared with our competition, both for the chassis and the new Power Unit. The whole team has done a fantastic job on the management of the project and its delivery. We have hit our milestones and hit our targets but, as ever, we will only begin to understand how successful we have been once we begin running in anger on track.

"The new car is an elegant but aggressive design and, as is often the way, its beauty is much more than skin deep; the internal engineering of the car is extremely innovative and intelligent. Our team can be justifiably proud of its work so far - but none of us are under any illusions about the amount we still have to do before the first race in six weeks' time."

While many other teams' cars have been noted for their design, one notable feature on this car is the #KeepFightingMichael on the sidepod - a message of support for former Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher as he continues to recover in a Grenoble hospital following a skiing accident.

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