F1: Mercedes announce new black livery for 2020 season

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team have announced a brand new livery just days before the start of the 2020 Formula One season to pledge support to fighting and ending racism and inequality in all forms.

The car was unveiled on it’s social media and has so far received a very warm reception. It has seen the dramatic decrease in silver from the livery that has been a staple since Mercedes returned to F1 in 2010 with the car now painted black.

In light of the recent Black Lives Matter movement, plus Formula One’s #WeRaceAsOne intiative for diversity and inclusion within the sport, this is a welcome announcement from Mercedes who with six-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton spearheading the end of all forms of inequality in sport have given themselves a worldwide platform to encourage change.

As part of the new livery, the Halo will carry the message “End Racism” whilst the wing mirrors will highlight the #WeRaceAsOne hashtag.

Mercedes have also announced that they will be introducing a new initiative for the company themselves for diversity and inclusion having shown that only 3% of their workforce comes from a minority ethnic background.

This is a huge step forward in the fight against racism and using sport to highlight these issues will raise awareness to many more than before. NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace has recently been driving his #43 Chevrolet with Black Lives Matter emblazoned on the livery as top-tier motorsports join other sports with visual changes that make the issue visible.

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will both wear predominately black themed overall’s for the 2020 season, with both altering their crash helmet designs.

Lewis Hamilton commented on the change;

“It’s so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity,”

“I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change.

“When I spoke to Toto (Wolff) about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business.

“We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change.”

Team Principal Toto Wolff said;

The car will be unveiled on track this weekend for the first round of the delayed 2020 season at the Austrian Grand Prix.