Can Mercedes-AMG reign supreme with their new 2019 F1 car?

With teams each slowly revealing their new cars for the 2019 Formula 1 season, no other team is likely feeling the pressure more than defending champions Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsports F1 team. Now, Mercedes has finally revealed their 2019 challenger,  the Mercedes-AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+, and even completed its first laps at the Silverstone International Circuit ahead of the pre-season testing in Barcelona.

“The 2019 season will be a new challenge for all of us. 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,” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO.

So what's new for Mercedes this year? To begin with, the W10 seems to have taken on a redesigned livery. The black-silver-teal colors remain but it now has new graphics at the rear engine cover. The teal Petronas stripes are now a solid design as well. Aside from that, changes were made to the body in order to make it pass new aero regulations for 2019. The team will also be using a new power unit for 2019 season, all of which are said to the result of more than a year's work.

For 2019, most teams changed driver lineups. Mercedes, however, decided to continue with their driver line up consisting of 2017 and 2018 driver's champion Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. The reigning world champion will begin his 7th season with Mercedes while Bottas will begin his 3rd season.

With teams switching it up this 2019 season, the question now is whether Mercedes can build on their success from last season. Or, will we be seeing another team dominate the season?