© Daimler AG
Mercedes released an emotional tribute to Formula 1 on the 70th anniversary of the series’ first race at Silverstone in 1950.
The Formula 1 World Championship was established on 13 May 1950 when its first race was held at Silverstone. Mercedes didn’t enter the championship until the fourth round of the 1954 season – the French Grand Prix. The team immediately dominated with Juan Manuel Fangio behind the wheel, who took both the 1954 and 1955 drivers’ title. The constructors’ championship wasn’t introduced until 1958.
After Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh was involved in a catastrophic crash at the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans race, that led to his death and the death of more than 80 spectators, Mercedes withdrew from racing for the next 30 years.
Mercedes returned to Formula 1 in 1994 as an engine supplier, but it took until 2010 for them to return as a works team. The rest is history as Mercedes became one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport, winning all champiobships from 2014 until today.
You can find out more about Mercedes’ participation in Formula 1 in our detailed Mercedes F1 History section.
And Finally, here is Mercedes’ tribute to Formula 1:
