Mercedes is one of the most trusted and well-loved automobile brands in existence, owed in large part due to the fact that they have been making cars for so very long. But while they have won the hearts of consumers across the globe, their history in Formula 1 has been more hit and miss. While at times hugely successful, Mercedes' involvement in other motorsports has been tinged with tragedy.
In fact, Mercedes took part in the very first recorded car race in France as far back as 1894. The German cars were a force to be reckoned with in the world of motor-racing between the two World Wars, but with the devastation of German industry after the Second World War Mercedes was dealt a huge set-back. So much so that Mercedes were to miss the first several seasons of Formula 1, only entering the competition fully in 1954, having taken part in a few one-off races.
So while Formula 1 kicked off in 1950 it wasn't until 1954 that Mercedes made its full-season debut. The wait was worth it as they immediately won the drivers' championship thanks to Juan Manuel Fangio. The next year however, 79 people were killed by a Mercedes car during the Le Mans 24 hour race. Mercedes halted participation in all motorsports for nearly 30 years.
In 1994 Mercedes re-introduced itself to the world of Formula 1 as an engine supplier for Sauber and then partnering with McClaren in 1995. By 1998 the constructor's championship was won as well as two drivers' titles for Mika Hakkinen. In 2009 Mercedes began supplying engines for Force India and Brawn with immediate success as Brawn took both titles. This success led to them taking over Brawn in the 2010 season and rebranding the team as 'Mercedes GP', giving it a named car in the championship for the first time since 1955.
This was the first time in over 50 years that there was a named Mercedes car on the starting grid of a Formula 1 race. And while they have had difficult trying to maintain the same level of success no one could doubt that Mercedes have the technical expertise and dogged determination to once again be hugely successful.
In fact, Mercedes took part in the very first recorded car race in France as far back as 1894. The German cars were a force to be reckoned with in the world of motor-racing between the two World Wars, but with the devastation of German industry after the Second World War Mercedes was dealt a huge set-back. So much so that Mercedes were to miss the first several seasons of Formula 1, only entering the competition fully in 1954, having taken part in a few one-off races.
So while Formula 1 kicked off in 1950 it wasn't until 1954 that Mercedes made its full-season debut. The wait was worth it as they immediately won the drivers' championship thanks to Juan Manuel Fangio. The next year however, 79 people were killed by a Mercedes car during the Le Mans 24 hour race. Mercedes halted participation in all motorsports for nearly 30 years.
In 1994 Mercedes re-introduced itself to the world of Formula 1 as an engine supplier for Sauber and then partnering with McClaren in 1995. By 1998 the constructor's championship was won as well as two drivers' titles for Mika Hakkinen. In 2009 Mercedes began supplying engines for Force India and Brawn with immediate success as Brawn took both titles. This success led to them taking over Brawn in the 2010 season and rebranding the team as 'Mercedes GP', giving it a named car in the championship for the first time since 1955.
This was the first time in over 50 years that there was a named Mercedes car on the starting grid of a Formula 1 race. And while they have had difficult trying to maintain the same level of success no one could doubt that Mercedes have the technical expertise and dogged determination to once again be hugely successful.
No comments:
Post a Comment