Mercedes-AMG F1 to run special “Red Pig” livery at Spa

Mercedes-AMG had its worst start in many years in the first half of the 2022 Formula One season. Thanks to the new ground-effect aero rules, the reigning 8-time constructors champions have been playing catch up pace-wise to leaders Red Bull and Ferrari.

But now that the Formula One's mid-season break is over, the German manufacturer is rolling off its W13 challenger with a special livery for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix to commemorate 55 years of AMG.

Mercedes is painting half of the W13 red, paying tribute to the iconic Mercedes 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, otherwise known as the “Red Pig”. Back in the day, the gas-guzzling luxury barge won against all odds at the 1971 24 Hours of Spa, putting AMG on the map as a high-performance brand.

Things did not go well the last time Mercedes attempted to do a special livery. Back in the 2019 German Grand Prix where they celebrated 125 years of Mercedes-Benz, then Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas crashed out in the lead, while Lewis Hamilton suffered with a pitstop that took forever by F1 standards.

We all know past performances do not guarantee future results. And this time, there's reason to believe it might turn out different. Mercedes was gaining ground against Red Bull and Ferrari before F1 hit the pause button at Hungary. So can the W13 do a “Red Pig” and come out victorious at Spa-Francorchamps? We'll know the answers when Formula One action resumes this weekend.