In the high-stakes world of Formula One, the off-season is a crucial period of relentless development. Teams are not only focused on refining car performance but also on crafting visually striking liveries that capture attention both on and off the track. For the 2019 season, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, the reigning FIA Formula One™ Constructors’ Champion, aimed to elevate their visual identity with a brand-new, more impactful Petronas green for their racing livery.
The Quest for the Perfect Petronas Green: A Collaborative Effort
The journey to define the 2019 livery began well into the 2018 season, with a clear objective: to enhance the Petronas green that had become synonymous with the team. The responsibility for this critical task fell to Andrew Moody, Head of Paint and Graphics at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. Understanding the nuances of color perception, especially under the demanding conditions of Formula One racing, Moody initiated early discussions with Axalta, an Official Team Supplier and a global leader in liquid and powder coatings. Their refinish brand, Spies Hecker, played a pivotal role in this color innovation. The collaboration included color experts like Ann De Clerck, Axalta’s EMEA Color Marketing – Color Service Manager, and Joachim Hinz, Spies Hecker Brand Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
The core challenge was that the existing Petronas green, while visually appealing in person, sometimes lacked the desired vibrancy on television. “The green we had been using didn’t always have the same impact on TV as it did in real life,” Moody explained. “We wanted a PETRONAS green to pop from every camera angle, even from the roving helicopter shots at races, and look as good on a sunny day as it would in the rain.” Beyond visual impact, the team also relied on the consistent application speed, reliability, and durability they had experienced with Spies Hecker’s Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480 Basecoat over the past five years.
Ann De Clerck from Axalta emphasized the collaborative nature of the color development process. “On the face of it, it sounds very easy to develop a color. And our close relationship meant we understood the processes that Andrew and his team go through when painting. We drew on many of our Axalta team’s in-house expertise, including Spies Hecker of course, to put all our efforts into delivering exactly what Andrew needed.”
After rigorous testing and evaluation, the final Petronas green was selected in early November from an initial selection of nearly 30 samples. The chosen color was a luxurious, dynamic, and stunning pearl green, created using a clear-over-base system. This new green resonated strongly with the entire development team, perfectly aligning with the brief to create a color that would command attention both on the racetrack and on screen.
Designing the 2019 Mercedes F1 Livery: Complexity and Precision
With the vibrant new Petronas green secured, the focus shifted to integrating it into the overall 2019 livery design. Andrew Moody and his paint team worked closely with designers in Brackley and Stuttgart to ensure both aesthetic appeal and paint application feasibility. “Working with our designers in Brackley and Stuttgart, we gave our advice on how workable and reproducible each of the 15 or so overall livery proposals were,” Moody stated. The resulting livery for the Mercedes-AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+ was notably more intricate than its predecessor.
This increased complexity demanded meticulous preparation in the paint shop. Leading up to the car’s unveiling, the team conducted at least 50 different test processes to optimize the painting process for the various car components. This dedication to efficiency and precision is paramount in the fast-paced environment of Formula One.
Key Features of the 2019 Livery: Stars, Silver, and Striking Green
The 2019 Mercedes F1 livery was characterized by several striking elements. The primary base coat remained the signature Permahyd Hi-TEC 480 Basecoat silver, known as Stirling Silver. Complementing this were four additional graded silver tones, progressing towards black, creating dynamic color gradients across the car. For the first time, Stirling Silver also adorned the car’s halo safety device.
The new, highly confidential Petronas green formula was featured prominently in a bold “glow line.” This design element consisted of two concentrations of the Petronas green, sandwiching a bright, white-centered glow line that ran along the entire length of the car, starting from the front wing and extending to the rear wing. It’s important to note that none of the paint colors used on the car are commercially available, highlighting their bespoke nature.
A unique addition to the 2019 livery was the application of over 1,000 painted Mercedes-Benz stars on the chassis and engine cover. These stars, in varying sizes and two different silver tones, added an intricate layer of detail and brand identity to the design.
Spies Hecker Products: Ensuring Perfection and Reliability
Despite the complexity of painting what Andrew Moody jokingly referred to as a “constellation” of stars on each car, his Paint Shop team remained unfazed. “The time between race weekends doesn’t get longer, so no matter how complicated or complex the livery is, we rely on Spies Hecker to deliver,” he affirmed.
Beyond the Permahyd Hi-TEC Basecoat 480, the paint shop utilized a range of Spies Hecker products to achieve flawless results. These included Priomat® Wash Primer 4075, Permasolid® HS Vario Primer Surfacer 5340, a high solids primer surfacer, and Permasolid® HS Performance Surfacer 5320, a fast-drying 2K HS sanding surfacer. The team also began using Permasolid HS Race Clear 8700, praising its speed, reliability, and user-friendly low viscosity.
Looking Ahead: The Relentless Pace of F1 Development
As the 2019 Formula One season commenced, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team, along with their partners at Axalta and Spies Hecker, were already looking towards future developments. “The roller coaster never seems to stop,” Andrew Moody concluded. “But we’re used to that, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.” This constant cycle of innovation and refinement is the driving force behind Formula One, pushing teams to continuously improve both performance and visual presentation. The F1 Mercedes Livery 2019 served as a testament to this dedication, showcasing a blend of aesthetic brilliance and technical precision.
