Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton was joined by team-mate Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes’ lead designer James Allison and team boss Toto Wolff as the Brackley team revealed their 2021 car.

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team kicked off their 2021 season today, launching the W12 at their Brackley base.

On hand for the live show was current Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who are both revved up and ready to get testing next week.

The German manufacturer retains the black livery debuted in 2020, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. However, the W12 sees the Silver Arrow’s return, with silver returning to the car and the famous ‘AMG’ branding sported across the rear. The car also features a dash of red in a nod to new team shareholders Ineos.

The W12 shares the same heritage as the 2020 car. It features “considerable aerodynamic changes” in reaction to the new regulations at the rear of the car and suspension and engine developments.

Ex-McLaren racer Stoffel Vandoorne will continue in his reserve driver role, alongside his Mercedes team-mate in Formula E, Nyck de Vries.

The W12 will make its debut next week at the official Bahrain test across the 12-14th March.

Full images of the W12 (Image credit: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1/F1.com)