Mercedes F1 W03
Michael Schumacher driving the F1 W03 at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Mercedes | ||||||||||
| Designer(s) | Bob Bell (Technical Director) Craig Wilson (Head of Engineering) John Owen (Chief Designer) Loïc Serra (Chief Vehicle Dynamicist) Russell Cooley (Chief Engineer) Loïc Bigois (Head of Aerodynamics) David Jeffrey (Chief Aerodynamicist) | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | Mercedes MGP W02 | ||||||||||
| Successor | Mercedes F1 W04 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Moulded carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque | ||||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Wishbone and pushrod activated torsion springs and rockers | ||||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Wishbone and pullrod | ||||||||||
| Engine | Mercedes-Benz FO 108Z 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited with KERS mid-mounted | ||||||||||
| Transmission | Jointly Xtrac 1044 with Mercedes AMG housing seven-speed semi-automatic carbon-fibre sequential gearbox with reverse gear hydraulic activation hand-operated, seamless shift | ||||||||||
| Weight | 640 kg (1,411 lb) (including driver) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Petronas Primax | ||||||||||
| Lubricants | Petronas Syntium | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet) BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13" | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | 7. Michael Schumacher 8. Nico Rosberg | ||||||||||
| Debut | 2012 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| First win | 2012 Chinese Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last win | 2012 Chinese Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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The Mercedes F1 W03 is a Formula One racing car designed by Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team for use in the 2012 Formula One season. The car was driven by seven time World Drivers' Champion Michael Schumacher, in his final year of his F1 career and Nico Rosberg. The car was launched on 21 February, ahead of the second test of the winter testing season. The team used the F1 W03's predecessor, the Mercedes MGP W02, at the first test in Jerez de la Frontera — running for three of the four days — in order to evaluate the 2012 specification of Pirelli tyres. The W03 completed a shakedown at Silverstone on 16 February and carried out a private test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on 19 February; under the sporting regulations, the team was entitled to hold a private test as they had only attended three of the four test days at Jerez.
At the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg took Mercedes's first pole position and win since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix. Until 2024, this was the last time the team finished behind one of their customer teams in the Constructors' Championship.