Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team 2013

[dominaze]

they should write the driver's name on the sidepods like mclaren did

[diego1960]

Actually I think it's stupid too, having 2 drivers with yellow helmets (and yellow is such an annoying colour). I know, Lewis always had a yellow helmet (although one designed by someone with a better taste ), but Nico's design is just so....Nico. Lifeless, boring and tasteless. It's like it's been designed by an accountant in a 5 minute toilet break.

The one he had when he entered F1 as a rookie was so much better even though it was a similar design. At least I get what he was going to back then and that is to resemble Keke's helmet, now it just looks that his designer gave up and randomly threw a bucket of yellow paint on a helmet and said "There Nico, the best one I've ever made. Just for you mate!"

[Maelstrom]

A red helmet like Schumi wore would have been nice.

[Vasconia]

A red helmet like Schumi wore would have been nice.

Not only the red helmet, also the driver hehe.

Now seriously, they must change the colours, its quite stupid to have so similiar helmets.

[paipa]

Now seriously, they must change the colours, its quite stupid to have so similiar helmets.

Now seriously, who cares?

[stefan_]

What more do you need apart from the different coloured T to figure out who is who?

[raymondu999]

What more do you need apart from the different coloured T to figure out who is who?

Not everyone knows that the T-bar is colour-coded

[jav]

We old fans are used to this type of thing. The writing has been on the wall with each iteration of Wxx cars. Lewis fans are new, enthusiatic and want to believe this is just a routine glitch.

Fear not- they'll fix the glitch and Lewis will likey put W04 at or near the top in testing, maybe even in qualifying and few races during the year. But many hardened fans expect surprise illusions of grandure to manifest as illusions more so than surprise.

[Maelstrom]

I'll be very surprised if Lewis will be in the running for the WDC this year.

[Vasconia]

We old fans are used to this type of thing. The writing has been on the wall with each iteration of Wxx cars. Lewis fans are new, enthusiatic and want to believe this is just a routine glitch.

Fear not- they'll fix the glitch and Lewis will likey put W04 at or near the top in testing, maybe even in qualifying and few races during the year. But many hardened fans expect surprise illusions of grandure to manifest as illusions more so than surprise.

100% agree. Three complete seasons suffering this lack of realiabily and in general, lack of quality in the work that this team does. We expect MUCH MORE from Mercedes as a team as from the staff and workers as profesionals but they havent delivered the standards we expect from them, and sadly they are goint to disappoint once again.

And I really want to be wrong, believe me.

[Vasconia]

Now seriously, they must change the colours, its quite stupid to have so similiar helmets.

Now seriously, who cares?

Because when I am watching the race I want to know who is who. Yes, talk about this is a nonsense, like to let the drivers choosing the same color.

[user001]

to be honest. i do not except anything great from mercedes. the same was with bmw in formula 1.

[OppositeLock]

I don't understand all these doomsday posts. You can't foresee the future.

[Huntresa]

I don't understand all these doomsday posts. You can't foresee the future.

But we can forsee it statisticly speaking Nothing has rly changed coming into 2013 so we shouldnt see merc do better or worse for that matter.

[jav]

FerrariPilot- I love you man, and...I stand corrected. As one of the oldest fans, you've never lost faith and while I admire (and respect) your loyalty, I regretably can't share it.

W04 has no odd gimicky devices ...

We don't that. Brawn has commented that much of what was developed into W04 is unseen - so devices that don't exist,gimicky or otherwise, remain unknown.

The rear suspension is a brilliant design ...

If by brilliant you mean sparkly and clean- OK, I agree. If brilliant means smart and effective...well, only time will tell. But if history is any indicator, a hedge bet would be wise.

This is a decent car to begin with ...

Substitute "decent" for "brilliant" in last answer.

Lastly, take us back to first viewing W03 a year ago and recalling the quantum leap in build quality by comparison, and then look at W04 through that set of lenses. It's there, we're just not seeing it yet.

W03 did appear to be a quantum leap in build quality over W01 and W02... but it finished further back in points than the previous 2 iterations it improved upon. The lessson being that looks and results aren't necessarily related.

W04 managed only 11 laps on the first day of testing. I'd say disappointment=1 optomism=0.