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Early Racing History

Two companies merged to form Mercedes-Benz in 1926. Both had enjoyed success in the new sport of motor racing throughout their separate histories. In fact both were entered into the very first automobile race Paris to Rouen 1894. The Mercedes Simplex of 1902, built by DMG, was Mercedes' first purpose built race car - much lower than their usual designs - which were similar to horse carriages; that model dominated racing for years. In 1914, just before the beginning of the First World War, the DMG Mercedes 35 hp won the French Grand Prix, finishing 1-2-3.

Karl Benz's company, Benz & Cie. built the "bird beaked", Blitzen Benz that set land speed records several times, reaching 228.1 km/h (141.7 mph) in 1911. That record gained that model the reputation of being faster than any other automobile - as well as any train or plane. They constructed many aerodynamically designed race cars.

Grand Prix Motor Racing

Benz was involved in Grand Prix motor racing from 1923, when the Benz Tropfenwagen (described as having a teardrop shape) was introduced to motorsport at the European Grand Prix at Monza.

In 1993, Mercedes-Benz made its return to Formula One as an engine supplier to Sauber. In the opening race of the 1997 Formula One season, David Coulthard produced victory for McLaren and ushered in a new era of success for the British based squad. Coincidentally this was the first race in which McLaren had competed with a silver livery due to West replacing Marlboro, who moved to Ferrari, as title sponsor.

The colour drew inevitable comparisons to the Silver Arrows of a previous era, and the nickname was applied to the McLarens. This was a significant result in F1 racing, McLaren's first victory for three seasons and the first win for Mercedes-Benz since Juan Manuel Fangio's success at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix.

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