Brendan Lines 29 June, 2020

Mercedes have changed its iconic ‘Silver Arrows’ livery for 2020, to an all-black design in what the team says is an effort to ‘fight against racism and all forms of discrimination’ for this week’s restart to Formula 1’s 2020 season in Austria.

With the stage set for a season like no other amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement has brought about another profound change in the world we once knew since the Australian Grand Prix in March, Mercedes team members needed ‘new measures and actions in the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination.’

A statement released by the team tonight read:

For 2020, we have chosen to race in an all-black base livery as a public pledge to improve the diversity of our team – and a clear statement that we stand against racism and all forms of discrimination. The call to ‘End Racism’ will feature on the halo of both cars, and the united F1 initiative #WeRaceAsOne will be featured on the mirrors of the W11.

Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Toto Wolff said: “Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a core belief at Mercedes. But having the right beliefs and the right mindset isn’t enough if we remain silent. We wish to use our voice and our global platform to speak up for respect and equality, and the Silver Arrow will race in black for the entire 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport. We will not shy away from our weaknesses in this area, nor from the progress we must still make; our livery is our public pledge to take positive action. We intend to find and attract the very best talents from the broadest possible range of backgrounds, and to create credible pathways for them to reach our sport, in order to build a stronger and more diverse team in the future. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank our parent company Mercedes-Benz and our family of team partners who have supported and encouraged this initiative,”he said.

The change comes after last week six-time World Champion and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton formed the Hamilton Commission in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering to exploring how motorsport can be used to engage more young people from Black backgrounds with STEM subjects and ultimately employ them in Formula 1 teams or in other engineering sectors.

Lewis Hamilton said: “It’s so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity. I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change. When I spoke to Toto about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united. I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes Board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business. We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change,” he said.

Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas will also be wearing black overalls and adapted helmet livery for the 2020 season.

Bottas concluded: “Formula One is a world that is defined by performance, but it still contains many barriers for people who come from backgrounds that haven’t traditionally been part of the sport. We know that our teams are stronger when they are more representative of the society we are part of, and it is important for us to be united and show our commitment to change. Racism and discrimination have no place in our sport or in our society and I am proud to stand with the team, with Lewis and with Mercedes-Benz in making this important statement,” he said.

Before the end of the 2020 season, Mercedes will announce a Diversity and Inclusion programme that will include but not be limited to: continuing to listen to and raise the awareness of it’s team members; forensic analysis of recruitment and development processes; collaboration with the Formula 1’s key stakeholders to improve accessibility ; and targeted education initiatives to encourage and support talented people from under-represented backgrounds who aspire to reach Formula 1.

Featured Image: mercedesamgf1.com