The Mercedes-Benz F1 team revealed a special commemorative livery for the 125th anniversary of motor racing and the team's 200th race as a manufacturer for the German F1 Grand Prix weekend taking place on 26-28th July, 2019.
125 years of motor racing
The first motor race took place in 1922 and was organised by French newspaper "Le Petit Journal" under some pretty weird rules.
In the morning of July 22, 1894, 125 years ago to the day, 21 brave drivers lined up their vehicles on the Boulevard Maillot, right next to the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. Starting at 8 o'clock, the soon-to-be racers and a number of passengers in their cars would compete in the first ever automobile race - an endurance race, held on 127 kilometres of public roads from Paris to Rouen.. Source
The most powerful engine only had 5 HP. When you compare this to the era of 1995-2005 where 3.0 l engines generated 950+ HP you can see just how far technology has advanced.
1934 - The birth of the silver arrows
Before the 1930's Grand Prix race cars were painted in the colors of the country origin of the manafacturer.
British teams would compete in "British Racing Green", French vehicles were painted in "Bleu de France" and Italian teams painted their cars red.
The german team were painted in white.
Mercedes-Benz W 25 that competed in Eifelrennen on 3 June 1934 at the Nürburgring failed to make the 750 kg weight limit. The team decided to scrap of the white paint in order to make the weight limit. In doing so they exposed the metal bodywork giving it a silver look hence the first silver arrow was born.
Mercedes-Benz history in F1
Mercedes first entered F1 in 1954 and only competed for the years, with Juan Manuel Fangion winning 2 World Chmpionship for them with the W 196 ( 2.5 litre, 256 hp engine).
Mercedes only returned to F1 39 years later as an engine manufacturer for Sauber. In 1995 they teamed up with McLaren until 2014. Mika Hakinnen help them win the 1998 and 1999 Constructors' Championship.
Mercedes started their stand alone works team in 2009 with Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher drivers lineup.
Since 2014, the team has won five consecutive Drivers' and Constructors' Championships, equalling Ferrari's record for most consecutive double championships from the early 2000s. The Mercedes-Benz Großer Preis von Deutschland will mark another milestone in the motorsport history of the three-pointed start: the 200th race start for Mercedes-Benz in Formula One.Source