[rahulcmoulee]

Mercedes have unveiled a new livery to show their support for diversity and take a stance against racism. The silver has been replaced with black

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...xx8kqD5ZD.html

[Aditya]

Mercedes supports anti-racism movement with all-black livery - Post moved to a new thread.

[libranof1987]

A powerful statement from Mercedes given the clamor for racial equality in the world, in all spheres of life. Their lead driver is a person of color so it assumes even more prominence.

Such a stand is of tremendous significance, especially in the world of motor sports, considering what happened just a few weeks ago: a noose was found in the garage of NASCAR's only black driver just before the race in Alabama.

Dozens of NASCAR drivers escorted the car of Bubba Wallace before today's race at Talladega in Alabama. They pushed his car into place as he sat in the driver's seat with an American flag mask on his face. Wallace is the only black driver in NASCAR's top circuit. And on Sunday, a noose was found in his garage. Wallace had been the driving force behind the effort to ban the Confederate battle flag at races, a policy NASCAR adopted earlier this month.

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/22/88182...allaces-garage

It's all but certain, then, that the noose hanging was an inside job

https://www.businessinsider.in/sport...w/76539245.cms

[Batfreak]

Fantastic step!

The motorsports industry can hardly be called representative of the world's diversity. In the past, Hamilton himself has been vocal about the urgent need for change in this arena and this step from the reigning champions themselves is a very welcome conscious step towards initiating the change.

Not to take away from their effort in any way, but this would be a great PR exercise as well and should help attract attention and support from many.

Being a Silver Arrows fan myself, I never imagined a modern Mercedes F1 car sporting anything else but their characteristic silver livery. But my my, this is something else altogether! That shade of black with the Mercedes silver and Petronas teal highlights come together brilliantly. Trust Merc to deliver a message and to do so in style.

Kudos Mercedes!

[srini1785]

From what i heard, The loop was used to open a door and was inadvertently left behind by a worker. The problem was compounded by a plane flying overhead with a strong racist message.

Disclaimer: I am not a follower of F1/NASCAR ever since i attained middle age nirvana. So i could be wrong.

[McLaren Roxx]

Originally Posted by Batfreak

Fantastic step!

The motorsports industry can hardly be called representative of the world's diversity. In the past, Hamilton himself has been vocal about the urgent need for change in this arena and this step from the reigning champions themselves is a very welcome conscious step towards initiating the change.

Kudos Mercedes!

Kudos indeed!

Unless one experiences racism first hand, it is impossible to even comprehend the long term impact it has on one's psyche.
Plus seeing that hardly anyone at the management helm takes this seriously, makes everything so much more difficult.

Yeah, after the 2008 Spanish GP fiasco F1 did release a 'standard run of the mill' statement, but nothing much changed on the ground. Bernie Ecclestone's recent comments/responses paint a clear picture about how this was/is perceived & given importance within the community.

Heck, it was only after Hamilton launched those initiatives did a few other drivers start talking about it. Respect for Ricciardo to have accepted he 'didn't do enough' himself as a public figure.

I really cannot say if the heart behind these recent 'steps' is in the right place - I'd like to believe it is, but sincerely hoping this movement doesn't remain as a 'just another' and something positive comes out of it.

[ds.raikkonen]

Looks amazing in the black livery with those Miami bluish stripes. But let's not forget that 2020 (or even 2021 given the delay of new regs) might be the final year Mercedes enjoy their dominance. Just like the invincible RBR team suffered post 2013, even with the genius that is Adrian Newey, Mercedes might go the same way. And I'll say about time too, F1 needs something new. Hamilton and Mercedes domination took away some of the spectacle.

Anyway, can't wait for this weekend's Austrian GP!!

[sreeharipv]

Why racing cars are called livery now?

[McLaren Roxx]

Originally Posted by sreeharipv

Why racing cars are called livery now?

Livery is what you see the car painted/stickered with on the outside.

Wikipedia definition: "A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning; in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in the livery."

[Sutripta]

Well, Black Cars Matter and all that, but will it not goad others to shoot into the backside of the car, and render it at least Hors de Combat if not worse?

Sutripta

[Mat095]

The only F1 team which addresses real world issues by more than just social media posts. The W11 looks good in black and those Petronas green stripes.

Well done, Mercedes and kudos to Hamilton for this idea.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Well, Black Cars Matter and all that, but will it not goad others to shoot into the backside of the car, and render it at least Hors de Combat if not worse?

Worse, can you imagine the public outcry if another driver aggressively attacks a black car?

It’s official now; the world has gone mad. Whereas I am very supportive of all persons feeling discriminated against and being at a major disadvantage of nothing else then the colour of their skin, I can’t even begin to understand how painting an F1 car black will help progressing this cause. Which is way to important to get caught up in something as trivial as this.

Jeroen

[howler]

I’m surprised at peoples reactions to this marketing gimmick. But then that’s exactly what Mercedes was betting on. Companies like Mercedes and BMW have extremely shady pasts so I would always take such gestures with a massive dollop of salt. As a car enthusiast, I would just judge a car company for their cars and absolutely nothing else

[khanak]

Originally Posted by srini1785

From what i heard, The loop was used to open a door and was inadvertently left behind by a worker. The problem was compounded by a plane flying overhead with a strong racist message.

Disclaimer: I am not a follower of F1/NASCAR ever since i attained middle age nirvana. So i could be wrong.

After Sunday’s discovery, NASCAR officials asked each track to sweep through respective garages. Across the 1,684 garage stalls at 29 tracks, NASCAR found only 11 total had a pull-down rope tied in a knot and only one noose — the one discovered Sunday in the No. 43 garage stall.

-

https://www.nascar.com/news-media/20...-at-talladega/

[FrozeninTime]

Originally Posted by Mat095

The only F1 team which addresses real world issues by more than just social media posts. The W11 looks good in black and those Petronas green stripes.

Well done, Mercedes and kudos to Hamilton for this idea.

I loved colour scheme. I am happy that companies all over the world are taking # profit for hate seriously.