Mercedes becomes first team to launch 2022 F1 RaceFans

In short

Mercedes launches W13 for the first time

The Mercedes constructors’ champions have become the first Formula 1 team to share public images of their 2022 car launched ahead of pre-season testing next season.

In a video shared by the team on social media, Mercedes showed for the first time that the powertrain of their un-launched W13 comes to life. No image of the chassis itself has been shared, but team manager Toto Wolff can be seen grinning in approval.

The 2022 season will see the appearance of cars change dramatically, with a series of technical regulatory changes designed to make Formula 1 cars able to come close without suffering loss of aerodynamic performance due to dirty air. This will be Mercedes’ first season with the driving duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Pre-season testing will begin on February 23, 2022 with a three-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. The teams will then travel to Bahrain for a second three-day test at the Sakhir circuit before the start of the season in Bahrain the following week.

Haas VF-22 passes FIA crash test

Haas has announced that its 2022 challenger – the VF-22 – has officially passed its mandatory FIA safety crash test.

In a social media post, the team shared an image of a crash test result card mockup dated December 23, with a “pass” stamped on it, indicating that the team’s chassis for next season had been officially approved.

Haas’ new car won’t have much to do to be more successful than its predecessor. The team ended the season scoreless, taking the tenth and final place in the Constructors’ Championship, with team principal Guenther Steiner openly admitting at the start of the season that the team was focusing all of their development work on the 2022 car. .

Verstappen named Dutch sportsman of the year

Max Verstappen was named “Sportsman of the Year” in his home country, the Netherlands, after winning his first Formula 1 World Championship in 2021.

The Dutch Olympic Committee and the Netherlands Sports Federation announced that Verstappen received the honor – voted on by Dutch athletes and a panel of experts – at a gala broadcast live on Dutch TV, with the prize being accepted by Verstappen’s father, Jos. Several Olympic gold medals Middle distance runner Sifan Hassan was elected athlete of the year.

This is the second time that Verstappen has awarded the title by his Dutch sports peers. He first won the award in 2016 after becoming the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 grand prix.

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