Formula One is back in the driving seat. And the best F1 team in the world, Mercedes-AMG Petronas, have started as they mean to go on – out in front.
Valtteri Bottas won the opening race at The Austrian Grand Prix, teammate Lewis Hamilton, who narrowly missed out on a place on the podium in the first race, won the second – and they showed no holding back in the following races.
The two drivers are racing in cars with a new colour scheme throughout this delayed 2020 F1 season to show their support against racism all forms of discrimination. They are also wearing black.
“We’ve always been clear that racism and any form of discrimination have no place in our team and in our society,” said a team spokesman.
At The British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a new name was added to their F1 cars – INEOS Hygienics.
The launch of the new business was announced at the event by INEOS, which is the team’s Principal Partner.
The Hygienics business was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to supply thousands of hospitals with des-perately-needed hand sanitiser.
Since then it has grown and is now supporting all INEOS’ elite sports teams – in motor racing, cycling, sailing and football.
“It is fantastic that we’re back racing and it’s only possible due to the stringent protocol measures that are in place across sport, including team members prioritising hygiene,” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal of Mercedes F1
“The INEOS Hygienics range of hospital grade sanitisers is helping to protect the team, and has given us the confidence to get the job done at the factory and on the track.”
Other elite performance sports teams using INEOS Hygienics products include Sir Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup team, OGC Nice, and Sir Dave Brailsford’s newly-renamed Tour de France team, the INEOS Grenadiers.
“Hygiene is a top priority because it ensures we lose no training time or competition due to sickness,” said Sir Dave.
“It is fantastic that we’re back racing and it’s only possible due to the stringent protocol measures that are in place across sport, including team members prioritising hygiene,” – Toto Wolff, Team Principal of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team