Wolff explains motive for black Mercedes W14: 'Had to take weight off'

Mercedes have unveiled the W14 for the 2023 Formula 1 season, opting to return to the black livery, which the team already used in 2020 and 2021. However, the rationale behind this choice is different from last time, Toto Wolff explains.

Wolff admits at the new car presentation that there is still little to say about the performance. The team are not yet sure whether all the W13's problems have been solved. "It's a big unknown, but we are positive in terms of excitement," the Mercedes team boss said.

Weight main motive for black W14

Like many other F1 teams, Mercedes struggled with an overweight car in 2022. Removing paint proved an effective measure to remove some of the extra weight and that is what the German racing team have now done. "We came back and really tried to get the weight off the car. Therefore, from the paint side, we committed to gaining the grams from leaving the car matte carbon," Wolff concluded.

Last season, Mercedes returned to the familiar silver livery, but in 2023 Lewis Hamilton and George Russell's cars will be black again. So there is a different reason behind that now than in 2020 when the team led by Hamilton opted for a black car to make a statement against racism.