Mercedes Formula E team switches to all-black livery
The Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team has announced that it will change its electric silver livery to an all-black colour scheme for the remaining six rounds of the 2019/2020 Formula E season.
Mercedes made an unexpected and surprising tweak to the livery of its 2020 Formula One car, the W11 ahead of the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix, dropping its traditional silver livery to an all-black colour scheme. With the move, the team wanted to make a positive contribution to the fight against racism and discrimination which has intensified following the death of the American hip-hop artist George Floyd who was killed during an arrest after allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill.
Mercedes' Formula E Team has now announced that it will also switch to a black livery for the rest of the current season of the fully-electric competition. Formula E will make its return to the race tracks this weekend, concluding its season six at Berlin. The German capital will play host to a six-race showdown at three consecutive weekends with drivers contesting on 5/6, 8/9, 12/13 August.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team has confirmed its new livery via a social media post. "Our team will contest the season’s final six races with an all-black base livery, taking a firm stand against racism and all forms of discrimination while advocating greater diversity."
Vice-President of Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Cars Bettina Fetzer has stressed that the German carmaker wants to use its presence in the international motorsport to "make a stand against racism and discrimination and in support of greater diversity and tolerance in society. We are proud of our long tradition and of the successful history of our brand in motorsport.
"The decision to change the distinctive look of our electric Silver Arrows underlines our stance in favour of openness and respect in our dealings with each other. The black base livery of our racing cars is a reminder to all of us of the need for ongoing, long-term consolidation of our values and of mutual respect."
Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team Principal Ian James is proud that his outfit presents an organization where discrimination has no place.
"We have always spoken out clearly against racism and all forms of discrimination, as they do not have a place in our team, in our sport or in our society.
"However, recent events around the world have shown that we all need to do more to use our platform to speak out against racism and discrimination. As part of the Mercedes-Benz Motorsport family, we're sending out a clear signal for change."
