Formula 1 2022: Mercedes launch Hamilton and Russell’s championship-contender, the W13
Reigning world champions Mercedes have revealed the car that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will drive in this season’s championship – the W13 – which is built to sweeping new technical rules.
Mercedes have won the constructors’ title for eight successive seasons, but they relinquished the drivers’ championship as Max Verstappen snatched the crown from Hamilton on the final lap of the 2021 season.
Mercedes junior Russell has been promoted to a race seat, replacing Valtteri Bottas after three impressive seasons at Williams, peaking with his first F1 podium in Belgium last year.
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The W13 will hit the track for the first time later on Friday, when Mercedes complete the first of their two permitted filming days at Silverstone.
Hamilton and Russell will share driving duties, with running limited to 100km.
The car will then travel to Barcelona for three days of pre-season running next week, to be followed by official pre-season testing in Bahrain next month, ahead of the first race of the season at the same venue.
