Mercedes vs Ferrari
The dominant 2017 Mercedes that secured a fourth consecutive Constructors' Championship.
The Mercedes AMG F1 W08 EQ Power+ is a highly successful Mercedes-Benz Formula One racing car designed and developed under the direction of Paddy Lowe, Aldo Costa, Geoff Willis, Loïc Serra, Russell Cooley, John Owen, Mike Elliott and Jarrod Murphy to compete during the 2017 Formula One World Championship. The car was driven by three-time World Drivers' Champion Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
- Primary Opponent
- Scuderia Ferrari
- Key Era
- Hybrid Power Unit Regulations (2014–Present)
- Mercedes Constructors' Titles
- 8 (as of 2023 season conclusion)
- Ferrari Constructors' Titles
- 16 (All-time record holder)
- Notable Driver Rivalry
- Lewis Hamilton vs. Charles Leclerc / Sebastian Vettel
- Status
- Active and Intense
Lore & Background
The chassis was originally named the 'Mercedes F1 W08' to represent the eighth Formula One car that Mercedes had constructed since 2010. The 'EQ Power+' was added to increase exposure of Mercedes' electric road car models, whilst AMG was included to reflect the relationship between Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Benz. The car made its competitive début at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix and its final appearance at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In Their Own Story
The air at Monza is thick with red smoke and anticipation. As the safety car pulls away, the grid erupts into motion. In turn one, the silver arrow of Mercedes dives deep, cutting inside the scarlet Ferrari. The roar of the hybrid engines echoes off the walls, a mechanical scream that defines this era. For a moment, time seems to suspend as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc wheel-to-wheel, their cars inches apart, representing not just two drivers, but the clash of two nations' automotive souls.
Reader's Guide
The F1 W08 EQ Power+ took twelve wins (nine for Hamilton and three for Bottas), fifteen pole positions (eleven for Hamilton and four for Bottas), nine fastest laps (seven for Hamilton and two for Bottas) and four 1–2 finishes. The team clinched their fourth consecutive Constructors' Championship at the United States Grand Prix, the 17th race of the season with three races to spare. Hamilton clinched his fourth World Drivers' Championship at the season's next round, the Mexican Grand Prix.
Did You Know?
- The car completed 1,096 laps during pre-season testing, equivalent to over 16 race distances.
- Mercedes adopted a 'T-wing' device on the rear of the car to generate better rear down-force.
- The car was also driven by 2017 GP3 Series champion George Russell during in-season testing.
- At the Russian Grand Prix, Bottas secured his maiden Formula One victory, holding off Sebastian Vettel by six-tenths of a second.
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