Mercedes unveil 2021 car for Lewis Hamilton’s record-breaking bid

World champion will be aiming for an eighth Formula One crown

Team principal Toto Wolff, centre, with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas unveil the Mercedes W12 car at the new Race Bay facility in Brackley. PA

Mercedes's W12 car that will be used in the 2021 F1 season. PA

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas unveil Mercedes' car for the 2021 season. AFP

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes' new Race Bay facility in Brackley. PA

An illustration of the Mercedes W12. AFP

The Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance car. AFP

Lewis Hamilton during the Mercedes car launch. PA

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas. PA

Mercedes unveiled the car Lewis Hamilton will drive this season as he pursues an unprecedented eighth Formula One title.

The W12 car retains the black introduced last year as part of the team’s campaign against racism and discrimination, and adds a touch of its more traditional silver.

Hamilton, who signed a one-year contract extension last month, is looking to move one title clear of Michael Schumacher. Meanwhile, Mercedes will be chasing an eighth drivers' and constructors' double.

Since joining Mercedes for the 2013 season, Hamilton, 36, has won six world titles — moving him level with Schumacher with a record seven career championships.

Hamilton, who has won 74 races with Mercedes, said earning an eighth title “is the ultimate dream, but I don’t think it will be the deciding factor as to whether I stay or keep going.”

“I got into racing because I love racing and that has to be the core of what I do. If all you are going for is accolades and titles, I feel like I could lose my way,” Hamilton said. “It is whether I still have that smile when I put on that helmet and leave the garage and whether I still enjoy it.”

Hamilton will be teaming up with Valtteri Bottas for a fifth consecutive year. The 2021 season begins this month in Bahrain.