Mercedes-AMG W13 E Performance
Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes-AMG W13 E Performance during free practice at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Designer(s)
  • James Allison (Chief Technical Officer)
  • Mike Elliott (Technical Director)
  • John Owen (Chief Designer)
  • Jarrod Murphy (Aerodynamics Director)
  • Loïc Serra (Performance Director)
  • Ashley Way (Deputy Chief Designer)
  • Giacomo Tortora (Deputy Chief Designer)
  • Emiliano Giangiulio (Head of Vehicle Performance)
  • Eric Blandin (Chief Aerodynamicist)
    Hywel Thomas (Lead Power Unit Designer)
PredecessorMercedes W12
SuccessorMercedes W14
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisMoulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure with FIA safety structures
Suspension (front)Carbon fiber double wishbone push-rod actuated torsion springs, rockers, and anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)Carbon fiber double wishbone pull-rod actuated inboard springs, dampers and anti-roll bar
Lengthover 5,000 mm (197 in)
Width2,000 mm (79 in)
Height970 mm (38 in)
Wheelbaseunder 3,600 mm (142 in)
EngineMercedes-AMG F1 M13 E Performance
1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motorMotor Generator Unit Kinetic (MGU-K) and thermal energy recovery systems
TransmissionMercedes co-developed with Xtrac 8-speed hydraulic actuated semi automatic sequential gearbox, + 1 reverse gear
Power800 kW (1,070 hp)
Weight795 kg (1,752.7 lb)[1]
FuelPetronas Primax[2]
LubricantsPetronas Tutela[1]
BrakesBrembo carbon discs and pads with rear brake-by-wire system
Tyres
with BBS forged magnesium wheels: 18"
ClutchZF carbon fibre reinforced carbon plate
Competition history
Notable entrantsMercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Notable drivers
Debut2022 Bahrain Grand Prix
First win2022 São Paulo Grand Prix
Last win2022 São Paulo Grand Prix
Last event2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
2211716

The Mercedes W13, officially Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance,[3] is a Formula One racing car designed and constructed by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team to compete in the 2022 Formula One World Championship. The car was driven by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the latter racing his first season with the team. The team’s reserve driver was Nyck de Vries, who usually drove in Formula E for the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team. The chassis was Mercedes's first car built for the new ground effect technical regulations introduced in 2022.[4] The W13 saw the return of the traditional silver livery, after the W11 and W12 were painted black in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, though the drivers continued to race in black overalls.

Launch and pre-season testing

The Mercedes AMG F1 W13, with the exception of the car's drivetrain was an all new car designed to conform to the new FIA regulations in effect as of 2022. The car was officially unveiled at the Silverstone Circuit with Hamilton and Russell completing an inaugural shakedown on 18 February 2022.[5] The car took part the pre-season testing 1 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 23 February – 25 February.[6] During the three testing days, the car completed 392 laps; a total of 1,832 km (1,138 mi), which equivalent close to 6 race distances.[6] The car then took part in the second pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit on 10 March – 12 March.[6] During the three testing days, the car completed 384 laps, a total of 2,078 km (1,291 mi), equivalent to 6.7 race distances.[6] Both tests showed that the car appeared to be suffering handling and balance problems partly due to excessive porpoising, with Hamilton writing off the team's chances of winning the first race of the season.[7] The W13 underwent a significant change with an almost sidepod-less design. This design was used throughout the Bahrain test and became the primary design for the team. Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, was initially quoted as saying that the design was not "to the spirit of the regulations." A Red Bull spokesperson later said this was incorrect, stating that "no official comment" had been made by the team.[8] From a new turbocharger and fuel management system, Mercedes managed to increase 20 more horsepower from the new M13 E Performance power unit, resulting in a total maximum power output of 800 kW (1,070 hp).[9] The car finished first and second in the third session of testing with Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest time of a 1.19.138. This was the fastest time of all three testing sessions.

Livery

The W13 was set to run in a special "Red Pig" livery at the Belgian Grand Prix to celebrate 55 years of Mercedes-AMG, the livery itself was a half-and-half paint job, inspired by the 1971 24 hours of Spa class winning Mercedes-AMG "Rote Sau" 300 SEL 6.8 race car. It was to be the first time for Mercedes to compete in a race with a special livery since the 2019 German Grand Prix.[10] But later, Mercedes decided to not to use the special livery, due to weight issues and lack of time as three back-to-back races were scheduled for the upcoming three weeks.[11] While the red to silver livery did not materialise, some elements of the livery, including the AMG logos and driver numbers, were present.

Season summary

George Russell during the British Grand Prix

The W13 proved to be uncompetitive in the early part of the season until Mercedes brought significant upgrades to the car in Spain. Hamilton and Russell were able to finish on the podium when either one of Ferrari's drivers hit trouble, with Russell finishing in the top 5 until Silverstone where he retired on lap 1. Despite being a less competitive car compared to its predecessors, it was reliable until Hamilton retired in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi with a hydraulics problem on lap 55.[12] Russell managed to score his first pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix and his first win at the São Paulo Grand Prix, which was the team's first win since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and their first 1–2 finish since the 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. This is the first time since 2012 the team had won only one race and qualified on pole once. With Russell's victory in Interlagos, Mercedes‘ eleven-season streak of winning at least one race continues, stretching all the way back to the Chinese Grand Prix in 2012. It is currently the longest active streak in Formula One as well as the third longest in the sport’s history.

The W13 is regarded as one of the worst Mercedes-AMG developed cars to date rivalling the race record of pre turbo-hybrid era Mercedes cars. Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team Principal, claims that he intends to "put these cars in the reception at Brackley and in Brixworth to remind us every single day how difficult it can be".[13]

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Entrant Power unit Tyres Driver name Grands Prix Points WCC pos.
BHR SAU AUS EMI MIA ESP MON AZE CAN GBR AUT FRA HUN BEL NED ITA SIN JPN USA MXC SAP ABU
2022 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes-AMG F1 M13 P United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton 3 10 4 13 6 5 8 4 3 3F 38 2 2F Ret 4 5 9 5 2 2 23 18† 515 3rd
United Kingdom George Russell 4 5 3 4 5 3 5 3 4 Ret 44 3 3P 4 2 3 14F 8 5F 4F 11 F 5
Reference:[14][15]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "F1 W13 E Performance". www.mercedesamgf1.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  2. ↑ "F1 M13 E Performance". www.mercedesamgf1.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  3. ↑ A New Era Starts Here: Firing Up our 2022 Mercedes-AMG F1 Car!, retrieved 2021-12-24
  4. ↑ "Formula 1 2022 Technical Regulations" (PDF). Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Officially unveiled Mercedes AMG F1 W13". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "2022 Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing 1". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 26 February 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  7. ↑ Benson, Andrew. "Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes cannot compete for wins after Bahrain testing". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  8. ↑ "Why Mercedes' radical sidepods are testing's biggest talking point". ESPN.com. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  9. ↑ "Mercedes enters 2022 with extra horsepower through improved turbocharger". www.gpblog.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  10. ↑ "Mercedes To Run Special "Red Pig" Livery At Belgian Grand Prix". WTF1. 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  11. ↑ "Mercedes explains why it didn't run 'Red Pig' livery on F1 car". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  12. ↑ Morlidge, Matt (21 November 2022). "Lewis Hamilton says he hopes 2022 'struggles' lead to Mercedes F1 titles after retiring from Abu Dhabi GP". Sky Sports. Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Mercedes Will Put The W13 In Factory Reception As A Scary Reminder". WTF1. 2022-11-20. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  14. ↑ "2022 Constructor Standings". Formula1.com. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  15. ↑ "Mercedes F1 W13". StatsF1. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
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