Hamilton happy with black Mercedes W14: 'It's all about how quick it goes'

Of all the Formula 1 teams that showed their new 2023 car to the world in recent weeks, the new look of the W14 stood out the most. Mercedes has opted to go back to an all-black livery, much to the delight of Lewis Hamilton.

In 2020 and 2021, Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were already in action in a black Mercedes. At the time, that choice was made to make a statement against racism and to promote diversity. In 2022, the 'silver arrows' returned, although black was still seen in the team clothing.

For the 2023 F1 season, the German racing team has again opted for a black car, albeit for a different reason than before. This time it has everything to do with weight saving: several teams removed paint from the car last year to make it lighter, and that measure has been continued this year.

Hamilton happy with black Mercedes

Mercedes has used the measure most rigorously by leaving large parts of the carbon unpainted. That choice meets with the approval of Hamilton, who is delighted with the return of the black livery. "Everyone in the team, pretty much or in the garage at least, preferred the black car from before. Everyone is with it and likes it within the team," he told GPblog and others after the unveiling of the W14.

The 38-year-old Briton fully agrees with the underlying reason for the new look. "Weight is a key goal for us, we were carrying a weight penalty all year, even the last race. We have been working hard to make sure that's not the case this year. We will find out later on or next week whether or not we have hit that mark," Hamilton said.

The seven-time world champion is somewhat cautious in setting expectations, as in 2022, Mercedes initially also thought it had got it right. "Even last year, we thought we were going to be on weight and we weren't, we were way over. I am glad that has been taken seriously. Not too much paint on the car, the minimum. It's all out for performance, it's not how it looks it's how quick it goes," Hamilton said.