Mercedes-Benz, a prominent brand under the
Mercedes-Benz Group, has played a significant role in Formula One for nearly
seven decades. The involvement spans periods of team ownership and engine
manufacturing, dating back to 1954. The current manifestation of this
commitment is the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, headquartered in Brackley,
England, and operating under a German license. Notably, in January 2022, Ineos
joined forces with the Mercedes-Benz Group and Toto Wolff, acquiring a
one-third equal ownership stake.
Reverently known as the "Silver
Arrows," a moniker that harks back to their distinctive silver-colored
racing cars, Mercedes-branded teams have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Before the upheavals of the Second World War,
Mercedes-Benz had a formidable presence in the European Championship, securing
three titles. However, it was in 1954 that Mercedes-Benz made its Formula One
debut. The inaugural season saw Juan Manuel Fangio clinch victory at the French
Grand Prix, setting the stage for a dominant performance that secured both the
1954 and 1955 Drivers' Championships. Unfortunately, tragedy struck at the 1955
Le Mans disaster, prompting Mercedes-Benz to withdraw from motor racing.
The brand made a triumphant return to Formula
One in 1994, this time as an engine manufacturer in collaboration with Ilmor, a
British autosport engineering company. The partnership yielded one
constructors' title and three drivers' titles during their association with
McLaren, which spanned until 2009. In 2005, Ilmor underwent a rebranding,
emerging as Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.
The acquisition of the Brawn GP team in 2010
marked a pivotal moment for Mercedes, transforming the outfit into its own.
Since the rule overhaul in 2014, which mandated the use of turbochargers and
hybrid electric engines, Mercedes has emerged as a dominant force in Formula
One. The team has achieved unprecedented success, clinching seven consecutive
Drivers' titles from 2014 to 2020 and eight consecutive Constructors' titles
from 2014 to 2021. Records for most wins in a season (19 in 2016) and most
consecutive constructors' titles attest to their supremacy.
As an engine supplier, Mercedes has accumulated more than 200 wins, securing the second position in Formula One history. The engines bearing the Mercedes-Benz insignia have powered teams to ten Constructors' and thirteen Drivers' Championships, underlining the enduring legacy of excellence in Formula One.