Since 1954, Mercedes-Benz has been involved in Formula One either as a team owner or engine supplier and has become one of the most successful car manufacturers to have ever played a part in the history of the sport.
Current Mercedes Drivers
44
Lewis
Hamilton
2007 Australian Grand Prix F1 Debut
Mercedes Current/Last Team
George
Russell
2019 Australian Grand Prix F1 Debut
Mercedes Current/Last Team
Full Team Name: Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team
Base: Brackley, United Kingdom
Team Chief: Toto Wolff
Technical Chief: James Allison
First Team Entry: 1954
World Championships: 8
The Mercedes-branded teams are commonly referred to as the “Silver Arrows,” a nickname that is both a nod to the team’s historic silver-coloured racing livery and a symbol of F1 success. Currently branded as the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, the team are based in Brackley, England, and is co-owned by Ineos, the Mercedes-Benz Group, and Toto Wolff.
Before the Second World War, Mercedes-Benz was already a formidable force in European Championship racing, earning three titles. In 1954, the brand made its debut in F1, and its success was immediate. Driver Juan Manuel Fangio won the first race at the 1954 French Grand Prix and won three more Grand Prix that season, earning him the 1954 Drivers’ Championship. He repeated this feat in 1955. Despite this success, Mercedes-Benz decided to withdraw from motor racing after the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans disaster. During the race, there was a major crash that caused large debris to fly into the crowd, leading to the deaths of 83 spectators and Mercedes-Benz sportscar driver Pierre Levegh. The accident also left approximately 120 more individuals injured. It is considered the most catastrophic crash in motorsport history, prompting Switzerland to enforce a ban on motorsports nationwide until 2022.
Mercedes-Benz returned to Formula 1 in 1994 as an engine manufacturer in partnership with Ilmor, a British high-performance engineering company. This association with Ilmor lasted until 2009, during which time the company won one constructors’ title and three drivers’ titles in collaboration with McLaren. During this period, Ilmor was rebranded as Mercedes AMG High-Performance Powertrains in 2005, and in 2010, the company acquired the Brawn GP team, rebranding it as Mercedes.
Following significant regulation changes introduced by the FIA and Formula 1 in 2014, which mandated turbochargers and hybrid electric engines, Mercedes became one of the most successful teams in F1 history. The team won seven consecutive Drivers’ titles from 2014 to 2020 and eight consecutive Constructors’ titles from 2014 to 2021.
Mercedes has also achieved over 200 wins as an engine supplier and is ranked second in Formula 1 history. In addition, an impressive ten Constructors’ and thirteen Drivers’ Championships have been won with Mercedes-Benz engines.
Mercedes Drivers’ Champions
The following drivers won the Formula One Drivers’ Championship for Mercedes.
| Driver | Nationality | Championship Year |
|---|---|---|
| Juan Manuel Fangio | Argentine | 1954* |
| Juan Manuel Fangio | Argentine | 1955 |
| Lewis Hamilton | British | 2014 |
| Lewis Hamilton | British | 2015 |
| Nico Rosberg | German | 2016 |
| Lewis Hamilton | British | 2017 |
| Lewis Hamilton | British | 2018 |
| Lewis Hamilton | British | 2019 |
| Lewis Hamilton | British | 2020 |
