Mercedes-Benz announced that its Formula 1 team, which raced under the Mercedes GP Petronas moniker this year, is changing its name to “Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team” from the 2012 season.
Up until now, AMG has been the three-pointed star’s in-house performance division, developing the sportiest versions of its production models like the SLK and the C-Class and, of course, the SLS AMG supercar.
It is also operates the German firm’s motorsport division having won 165 races and 32 drivers’, manufacturers’ and team titles in the DTM since 1988, and is the supplier of Formula 1 safety cars since 1996.
“Our new team name fuses the proud traditions of AMG and the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows at the pinnacle of motorsport,” said Norbert Haug, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.
“These three letters are synonymous with high technology, sporting performance and excitement and this step is a further strong sign of the strategic commitment Mercedes-Benz has made to Formula One. 16 of the 24 drivers on the grid at the season’s final Grand Prix in Brazil have, or have had, a connection to Mercedes-Benz.”
In addition the F1 Team name change, the Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 powertrain facility at Brixworth, UK, which has worked closely with AMG for many years, will be renamed to “Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains”.
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