The latest addition to the German F1 team is performing a shakedown today at Silverstone – It was on the stroke of 9:30 am that Mercedes revealed its new weapon for the 2020 Formula 1 season, the W11.
The livery of the German single-seater had been presented a few days ago on a previous model. This morning, the “real” new Mercedes was presented on social networks.
The Brackley-based team will be aiming for a new world title in order to start the new decade as it concluded the last one. Lewis Hamilton will be looking to match Michael Schumacher’s seven crowns, and team mate Valtteri Bottas will attempt to have his say in the Championship battle. As for the 3rd (reserve driver), nothing official has been announced yet.
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If our information is correct, Vandoorne is expected to be the third Mercedes F1 driver this Friday at Silverstone for the presentation of the new W11, which Lewis Hamilton will drive for the first time. A reserve driver role occupied last year by Esteban Ocon.
But after a year on the sidelines, the Frenchman has returned to Renault F1 for two years. So Toto Wolff had to find a good replacement.
Leader of the Formula E championship, Stoffel Vandoorne should have the opportunity to drive an F1 car again this season… during private tests.
Already a simulator driver for Mercedes last year and under contract with the manufacturer, Stoffel has the perfect profile to fill the role of a standby driver ready to jump in the car during a GP weekend in case of a problem for one of the two incumbents.
Certainly Vandoorne has always been held in high esteem by the sports director of Mercedes AMG.
“If I want to have a small chance of returning to the GP one day, I can’t be better placed than at Mercedes” said Vandoorne before Christmas.
There might be a chance to make a mighty comeback for the Belgian driver after all.
Absolute rubbish! How can Stoffel possibly be at Silverstone for today’s Mercedes launch when he’s participating in First Free Practice 7.30am tomorrow in Mexico City.? LOL
“Are you having a larf?”