Mercedes presents the W10

Mercedes has unveiled the W10, the car it hopes will take it to a sixth consecutive world championship. The German manufacturer is yet to be dethroned in the turbo hybrid era which began in 2014, but has faced an increased challenge from Ferrari over the last two years.

The team has presented the car in a tweaked livery which will be used throughout the upcoming year. The car is built to fall in line with the new aerodynamic regulations, as seen by the simpler, less complex front wing. 

The rear wing is also steeper than 2018, but includes drooping vanes which McLaren used last year. The car also contains a tight lower bargeboard area with an interesting turning vane structure.

"The 2019 season will be a new challenge for all of us,” said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. “The regulations have changed quite substantially. We have to start from scratch, we need to prove ourselves again – against our own expectations and against our competitors.

"We start the season with zero points, so we’re taking nothing for granted and there’s absolutely no feeling of entitlement to be at the front. In fact, with the regulation change for the new season, every team can have a shot at the title and we’re seeing all of them as a potential threat.”

Lewis Hamilton will once again compete with the Silver Arrows having signed a two-year extension with it last year. The Briton has won all but one championship since 2014, and has moulded himself into being viewed as one of the all-time greats.

As he has done since 2017, Hamilton will partner Valtteri Bottas at the team. Bottas endured a tough 2018 campaign, failing to win a race despite coming close at China, Azerbaijan, Great Britain and Russia.

Esteban Ocon will work closely with the team as he sniffs for a full-time seat at Mercedes in 2020. The Frenchman lost his seat at Racing Point after it brought in Lance Stroll for the upcoming season alongside Sergio Perez.