Mercedes is preparing a new detail for the Silverstone weekend: the distinctive “papaya” touch on Russell and Antonelli’s W16 cars
“Silver, black and… orange: our W16 cars will have a slightly different look for the British GP.” This is how Mercedes introduced the news ahead of the Silverstone weekend: the Anglo-German team will bring a small McLaren-style novelty to the livery of their cars. However, McLaren is not involved.
Alongside the usual silver and black, the Silverstone W16 cars will also feature a touch of orange. The reason “relates to celebrating the past, present, and future of the Three-Pointed Star, precisely as F1 marks its 75th birthday on the track of the first-ever GP.”
The Three-Pointed Star, the historic emblem of the Stuttgart-based manufacturer, will be colored orange for the UK GP. George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will also wear special suits for the British weekend, featuring a “papaya” emblem.
Livery update at Silverstone: why did Mercedes choose orange?
Mercedes’ surprise pays homage to the pioneering German concept car, the AMG GT XX, recently unveiled to the public with a “sunset beam orange” livery.
Of course, McLaren’s colors have little to do with the particular shade chosen by Mercedes. The German company’s color choice directly references the Mercedes C111 series vehicles, which were painted orange in the 1960s and ’70s.
Mercedes brings the historic W196 back to Silverstone
But the news doesn’t stop there for the British GP. Besides the orange emblem, Mercedes will celebrate its past by bringing the prestigious Mercedes-Benz W196 to the paddock.
The W196 was the team’s first F1 car and represents the legend of the Stuttgart brand. The first “Silver Arrow” won 9 of the 12 F1 races it entered, securing the world championship in 1954 and 1955. Driven by icons like Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio, the Mercedes car will be displayed at Silverstone inside the Mercedes hospitality area.
Leave a Reply