Friday, August 30, 2024

Mercedes-Benz Italian Grand Prix Update, Friday, August 30, 2024


 


Eventful first day on track in Monza.

  • The team took to the resurfaced Autodromo Nazionale Monza for the opening day of on-track running ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
  • Kimi Antonelli made his race weekend F1 debut in FP1 at Monza, taking the place of George Russell.
  • Unfortunately, his session came to an early end as he suffered a sizeable accident into Parabolica.
  • Lewis completed his work on the Soft compound tire, finishing the session in P7.
  • George returned to the car for FP2, getting out onto circuit 20 minutes into the session after the mechanics had repaired the W15.
  • He completed work on both the Medium and Soft compounds, although a mid-session red flag limited his running to 20 laps.
  • Lewis also ran on both the yellow and red-walled tires, using the Soft tire to post the fastest lap time of the day.
  • The team has plenty of data to run through this evening ahead of returning to the circuit tomorrow for FP3.

Driver

FP1

FP2

Lewis Hamilton

24 Laps

1:22.214

P7

Soft, Soft

24 Laps

1:20.738

P1

Medium, Soft, Medium

George Russell

-

-

-

-

20 Laps

1:21.086

P6

Medium, Soft

Kimi Antonelli

5 Laps

1:23.955

P20

Soft

-

-

-

-

Lewis Hamilton

I’m happy that Kimi was OK as that was a big accident. The main thing that matters is that he was OK. In terms of our car performance, it’s been a good day. This new tarmac and the smoother kerbs have presented an interesting challenge, but the car has felt good from the start. There seemed to be some graining up and down the field in FP1 and people struggling with the tyres. We made some solid changes ahead of FP2 and the car took a step forward in that final hour. There’s still some work for us to do overnight both here and at the factory, particularly around the long run, so we can be as competitive as possible over the rest of the weekend.

George Russell

Firstly, I’m glad to see that Kimi was OK. It’s never nice to see a crash that size and the first thing that matters is that he wasn’t hurt. The mechanics did a great job to get the car ready for FP2. We got a good 30 minutes of running before and after the red flag so a big thank you to them.

The car seems to be looking good. Lewis did a great job to top the timing screens. I had a couple of push lap efforts at the end of FP2 but was mainly focused on the long run. The resurfaced track meant that it looked to be ramping up quite a lot throughout the day. We need to be alive to it evolving over the rest of the weekend. We’ve got a lot of good data to go through, even though it wasn’t the most productive Friday I’ve ever had on my side.

Kimi Antonelli

It’s been quite a day here in Monza. Unfortunately, my first FP1 session ended quite quickly with a big crash. It was measured at 52G, so it was a heavy one. I am not feeling 100% so I will have an easy night this evening and rest ahead of the rest of the weekend. I am sorry to the team and to George as it is not how we wanted the hour to go. It was a pure mistake from my side where I was pushing just a bit too hard for the conditions. I should have built into the speed more progressively and it is something I will learn from.

I am still thankful to the team for making it possible for me to drive in FP1. It was great to drive in front of the tifosi and be on track with all the other drivers.

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director

We’ve had a busy day here in Monza. Kimi's accident luckily didn't do any damage to him, but the car took a big hit. Repairing it ate into George's session a little bit. That cost us some learning but we'll hopefully recover that ground in FP3 tomorrow.

Lewis had two strong sessions. The car seems to be working well, but there is not much to choose between the top few teams; it all looks very tight and from today's data there doesn't seem to be more than a couple of tenths separating the front of the field. For the race, managing the tires looks like it is going to be a challenge. The new surface is causing quite high degradation and as soon as you push hard, the tyres start to drop. It is not an easy track to employ the necessary management without leaving yourself vulnerable to being overtaking, but it should lead to an interesting race.

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Mercedes-Benz F1 Italian Grand Prix Monza Forecast, September 2, 2024




Toto Talks Italy

It was a disappointing weekend in Zandvoort. We didn’t perform to the level we expected. Lewis drove a strong race to recover to the points, but qualifying out of position limited the returns. George meanwhile suffered with high degradation and therefore didn’t have the pace to fight with for the top-six. The team is already working hard analysing all the data to understand what caused this. Whilst it’s a quick turnaround, we have the opportunity to bounce back straight away in Monza. I am confident we can do so. It is a very different circuit to Zandvoort, and likely even quicker this year with some of the changes they have made. We will also need to understand the impact of the track resurfacing that has been carried out. Monza is always a fascinating challenge for both teams and drivers, and one we are looking forward to.

The atmosphere is always special as the Italian fans are passionate about their racing. That will be even more so in FP1 as Kimi Antonelli steps into George’s car for a rookie session. Kimi has been part of our junior programme since he was 12 so this is an exciting moment for both him and the team. I am sure he will enjoy the experience of driving in front of his home crowd, and in turn I am sure they will be excited to see a new Italian talent on track. We look forward to seeing Kimi in the W15 on Friday morning and contributing to the team’s start to the weekend.

Fact File: Italian Grand Prix

  • Monza is nicknamed the ‘Temple of Speed’ and for good reason. Recorded top speeds through the speed traps during the Grand Prix typically top 350 km/h.
  • Due to the long straights and large portion of lap spent in eighth gear, the Monza lap is one of the lowest for gear changes on the calendar, with just 38.
  • The high-speed nature of Monza means the Italian Grand Prix is often one of the shortest races of the year. If run uninterrupted, it usually takes around one hour and 15 minutes from lights out to the chequered flag.
  • The circuit contains just 11 corners, four to the left and seven to the right. That is the second fewest of the year, behind only Austria which has 10.
  • Extensive work has taken place at Monza ahead of this year’s race, with significant upgrades to circuit infrastructure.
  • The entire circuit has also been resurfaced and new kerbs installed which may give drivers a chance to carry a little more speed into certain corners.
  • The 476m run from pole position to the first braking point at Monza is the fourth longest on the F1 calendar. Only Mexico, Great Britain, and Spain are longer.
  • Monza has the highest percentage time (76%) and distance (84%) per lap spent at full throttle of any circuit on the F1 2024 calendar.
  • Only Las Vegas and Mexico have a higher maximum top speed reached per lap than Monza.
  • Lewis Hamilton has five wins at Monza, and in 2017 he broke Michael Schumacher’s F1 record of 68 career pole positions at the track.
  • Mercedes has seven wins at Monza in F1. Four with Lewis, two with Juan Manual Fangio, and one with Nico Rosberg.
  • FP1 in Italy will see junior driver Kimi Antonelli take part in his first F1 practice session. The Italian will drive George’s car, for the team’s first of two mandatory FP1 sessions where a rookie driver must be used. 

Stat Sheet: Italian Grand Prix

2024 Italian Grand Prix

Session

Local Time (CEST)

Brackley (BST)

Stuttgart (CEST)

Practice One – Friday

13:30 – 14:30

12:30 – 13:30

13:30 – 14:30

Practice Two - Friday

17:00 – 18:00

16:00 – 17:00

17:00 – 18:00

Practice Three – Saturday

12:30 – 13:30

11:30 – 12:30

12:30 – 13:30

Qualifying – Saturday

16:00 – 17:00

15:00 – 16:00

16:00 – 17:00

Grand Prix - Sunday

15:00

14:00

15:00

 

Race Records - Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team at the Italian Grand Prix

 

Starts

Wins

Podiums

Pole Positions

Front row places

Fastest laps

DNF

Mercedes

16

7

16

7

13

8

5

Lewis Hamilton

17

5

8

7

10

7

2

George Russell

5

0

1

0

0

0

0

MB Power

31

13

34

13

27

17

25

 

Technical Stats - Season to Date (Pre-season Testing to Present)

 

Laps Completed

Distance Covered (km)

Corners Taken

Gear Changes

PETRONAS Fuel Injections

Mercedes

4,672

23,555.956

77,830

226,582

187,160,000

Lewis Hamilton

2,327

11,755.834

38,815

112,668

93,360,000

George Russell

2,345

11,800.122

39,015

113,914

93,800,000

MB Power

17,725

89,238.121

293,871

858,541

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Pre-Race Mercedes-Benz Comments on the Eve of the Zandvort F1 Race, Sunday, August 25, 2024

 



Tricky Saturday in Zandvoort.

  • George Russell will line up P4 with Lewis Hamilton P12 for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix.
  • Rain throughout the morning left the circuit damp for the start of FP3.
  • The team completed limited running with most of the session spent under red flag conditions owing to barrier repairs.
  • Qualifying proved tricky with cooling conditions rendering it a challenge to get the tyres in their best operating window.
  • In an incredibly tight field at the end of Q2, Lewis was unfortunate to be knocked out in P12 after suffering from a lack of rear grip.
  • George progressed through to Q3, and his final effort put him P4 for tomorrow’s grid.

Driver

FP3

Q1

Q2

Q3

George Russell

P13

9 Laps

P2

3 Laps

P3

6 Laps

P4

1:11.059

Soft, Soft

1:10.552

Soft

1:10.244

Soft, Soft

Lewis Hamilton

P15

7 Laps

P5

6 Laps

P12

-

-

1:11.375

Soft, Soft

1:10.948

Soft, Soft

-

-

George Russell

It was a challenging qualifying session today. In Q1 I was really struggling. In Q2, I had the pace to match the McLarens. In Q3, we slipped back a little and ultimately that left us in P4. I think that was probably the maximum for us today.

It was very difficult to get the tyres consistently in the right window. Lewis had great pace in Q1 but suffered from that in Q2. The conditions kept changing too so it was difficult to align everything to get the most out of the car. Finding that sweet spot was definitely not easy. The gap to the front was quite big today but I think we can have a better race tomorrow. We will be looking forward and trying to get on the podium once again.

Lewis Hamilton

Today was frustrating. We had been looking good throughout the weekend and in Q1, I was pleased with the balance of the car. Unfortunately, we struggled more in Q2, and it slipped through our fingers. I couldn’t go any faster than I did on my final lap and that wasn’t enough to get us through. These things happen but ultimately, I didn’t do a good enough job. I will push to get as many points as we can tomorrow and enjoy myself out there.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO

We were hoping for a better Saturday. In all the practice sessions, we had looked like we were close to the front of the field. Unfortunately, in Qualifying the car was on a bit of knife edge. It was hard for both drivers to get the most out of it consistently. Lewis was therefore knocked out in Q2, despite showing strong pace in Q1. George likely got the most we could have hoped for today with P4, but we are not pleased with those results.

We look ahead to tomorrow now and will be aiming to move forward with both drivers in the race. Our race pace on Friday looked solid, although it will be difficult to compete with the McLarens. They looked very strong in FP2 so our fight will likely be to get on the podium.

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director

Our performance today was disappointing, and we had certainly hoped for more. Both drivers looked more competitive at times in the session than the results showed. Lewis was strong in Q1 and George in Q2, but we failed to get it together when it mattered. The car hasn't felt as good for either driver today. We were suffering from understeer yesterday but today we were struggling for rear grip. 

Our attention now turns to tomorrow’s race. Our long run pace was reasonable yesterday and hopefully that will remain. If it does, we will be looking to move forwards with both drivers. The McLarens looked very strong on Friday so we may be looking at keeping George in the fight for the lower reaches of the podium, rather than victory. With Lewis, we will aim to recover well and score as many points as we can.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Mercedes-Benz Wheel Designs Over Time










 Like a beautiful pair of handmade shoes or some sharp sneakers complete any outfit, a cars’ wheels are what influences the aesthetics of its appearance. With the perfect balance between functionality and design, they refine and define the character of every Mercedes‑Benz and bring it to visual perfection. For centuries, wheels have always characterised our streetscape – from carts to cars – and these four “feet” bring out the individuality of their owners in a special way. From timeless classics and style icons such as the “baroque wheel” of the legendary Mercedes‑Benz C 111 from 1969 to modern aero wheels with sculptural appearances, they are often an expression of their zeitgeist and influence art, culture and design.

Today, customers can choose from a wide range of wheels. In keeping with tradition, many designs follow overarching Mercedes themes. One example is the flat design, which can be found in various guises on Mercedes‑Benz, Mercedes‑AMG and Mercedes‑Maybach cars. Cross-spoke wheels in various configurations are just as much a part of the range as filigree multi-spoke models. Single, double or triple spokes enrich the programme. Different colours and polished surfaces set further accents. The ball-burnished surfaces of the forged wheels in the Mercedes‑Maybach model series represent the top end.

The first Mercedes moved the world on wheels with wooden spokes

The inventor of the motor car was also ahead of his time when it came to choosing wheels. Carl Benz built his patented motor car in 1886 on wheels with fine metal wire spokes. They dominated for many decades. It consisted of several parts and combined firmly bolted wooden spokes with a steel rim. The first Mercedes model drove from victory to victory at the 1901 race week in Nice on wheels with twelve wooden spokes each. This Mercedes 35 hp not only went down in history as a sensational sports car but is also widely recognised as the world's first modern automobile.

Filigree wire wheels were popular in racing in the 1920s and 1930s

The lightweight yet robust wire-spoke wheels quickly became popular for sports cars. They were around 50 percent lighter than their robust wooden counterparts. For racing and record-breaking events, they were often fitted with sheet steel or aluminium covers. These “disc wheels” caused less air turbulence and therefore brought considerable aerodynamic advantages. One prominent example is the 200hp “Blitzen”‑Benz. In 1911, it was the fastest machine ever made, with a top speed of 228 km/h. Even aeroplanes and locomotives could not keep pace with it. The Blitzen Benz became a worldwide symbol of record-breaking achievement, and a legend that continues to have an impact to this day – even in art. In 1944, for example, the magazine “Esquire” published a series of racing illustrations by New York artist Peter Helck. Among others, it showed the then record-breaking driver Barney Oldfield at the wheel of the Blitzen‑Benz.

Coloured hubcaps and perforated trim rings: Icons of the 1950s boom and 1960s rock'n'roll

Beyond the flourishing motorsport sector, the sheet-steel disc wheel was used more and more frequently. It could be produced much more efficiently, and in large quantities. The pioneering 170 saloon from 1931 was the first to roll on these wheels. The design was crowned by small hubcaps with fine decorative lines, and proudly in each centre sat the Mercedes star. Various colours ranging from deep black to body colour as well as chrome-plated trim rings made it possible to fulfil individual customer wishes. Like their own footwear, customers could express themselves through their choice of wheels. Mercedes‑Benz further refined the design at the beginning of the 1950s. In addition to the hubcaps, perforated trim rings were added as a new design element. This gleaming chrome refinement celebrated its premiere in 1954 with the ‘Ponton‑Mercedes’ Type 220 (W 180) and the ambassadorial Mercedes‑Benz Type 300 b (W 186 III) saloon, the so-called “Adenauer‑Mercedes”. As the 1960s rolled around, the imperious Mercedes‑Benz 600 Pullman (W 100) also rode on these sheet-steel wheels. This iconic saloon was considered the best car of its time and was not only popular with state leaders – musicians such as John Lennon and Elvis Presley also drove the 600 Pullman.

The legendary 300 SL “Gullwing” CoupĂ©, on the other hand, did not ride on pure-sheet-steel wheels. It was the first Mercedes‑Benz model with composite wheels. The wheel disc was made of steel, the rim of aluminium. Instead of five-wheel bolts, there was the option of a centre lock with a large wing nut as used in motor racing. With its iconic design, the 300 SL took people's hearts and the cinema by storm. Its numerous celebrity owners included Hollywood stars Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Tony Curtis and Clark Gable.

The SL became the dream car for the dream factory. It appeared in several films over many decades. Examples are “On the Beach” from 1959 with Gregory Peck, “The Betsy” from 1978 with Laurence Olivier and Robert Duvall, “The Rookie” from 1990 with Clint Eastwood, Charlie Sheen and Raul Julia, “Batman & Robin” from 1997 with Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Clooney, and “The Green Hornet” from 2011 with Seth Rogen and Christoph Waltz. Pop artist Andy Warhol elevated the 300 SL Gullwing to the Olympus of art in the 1980s with his “Cars” series. This sports car is a design icon and still enjoys cult status today.

“Baroque wheels” in iconic multi-spoke design powered the rebellious 1970s

Another iconic and still popular art motif is another gullwing: the legendary Mercedes‑Benz C 111 from 1969. With its super-sporty silhouette and forged multi-spoke aluminium wheels, it is a design icon of the 1970s. The wheel design conveyed a high-performance appearance in a contemporary context. Affectionately known as “baroque wheels”, the multi-spoke design characterised the style of many model series in the 1970s and 1980s – for example the 280 S to 300 SEL S‑Class models, the “Stroke Eight” saloons, the SL and SLC models and the S‑Class 116 model series.

Full-surface alloy wheels mobilised the wild 1980s

In the 1980s, Mercedes‑Benz developed minimalist 15‑hole and eight‑hole alloy wheels. Their design adopted a clear design language with their smooth appearance. The full-surface wheel was used across all model series, including the 190 E 2.3‑16, the most dynamic Mercedes‑Benz at the time. The “Baby Benz,” as it was affectionately nicknamed, quickly became another cult vehicle. One of them can be seen today in the Mercedes‑Benz Museum: the 190 E 2.3 driven by actor Nicolas Cage. Another prominent example of the 15‑hole wheel is the 500 SEL saloon (126 model series), which Michael Jackson also had in his fleet. The 15‑ and eight-hole wheels are timeless classics. Their full-surface design was later reinterpreted again and again in the current monobloc wheels from AMG and Maybach.

New variety of wheel designs from the 1990s onwards

From the 1990s onwards, a new variety of wheel designs emerged. An absolute highlight from this period is the ‘EVO II’ wheel on the 190 E 2.5‑16 high‑performance saloon. It still enjoys cult status today because it came directly from motorsport and replaced the previous small multi-hole alloys. The design is based on a star with six powerful arms. The cooling air openings allow a view of the generously dimensioned brake system. Form and function are combined to perfection here.

High-gloss turned and high contrast: aerodynamically optimised wheels for electric models

New challenges and trends in wheel design arise from purely electrically powered models. They require wheels that are aerodynamically optimised for efficiency and range, as well as looking great. The formal conflict of objectives between aerodynamically necessary closed surfaces – what are referred to as “aeroskins” – and sporty, elegant designs with maximum size effect is resolved by the technology of high-gloss turning. Silver spokes and accents as well as black surfaces are used in a high-contrast interplay. Aero wheels with weight-optimised plastic inserts are also available for the first time across the Mercedes‑Benz electric range. The wheels, which feature elements with hot-stamped silver star patterns on a black background, have a particularly striking appearance.

A current aerodynamic highlight is the 20‑inch wheel for the EQS SUV. With a star-shaped aerodynamic cover made of plastic, it is perfectly matched to the flanks of its SUV tyres, which are also aerodynamically optimised. This wheel is a good example of the successful interplay between function and appearance.

A look into the future: VISION EQXX, Vision One‑Eleven and VISION AVTR

What will the wheel of the future look like? Show cars and concept vehicles give a first glimpse of what is to come. The operational concept vehicle VISION EQXX rides on lightweight magnesium forged wheels in a semi-transparent double-spoke design with rose-gold accents. Until now, magnesium has only been used for wheels in motorsport. Together with the tyres, which have low rolling resistance and improved aerodynamic geometry, the wheels increase the range. The EQXX’s record of more than 1,200 kilometres on one battery charge is also thanks to this.

With the Vision One‑Eleven, Mercedes‑Benz has presented a sports car study that combines a highly dynamic design language with innovative, all‑electric drive technology. The wheel design of the Vision One‑Eleven features highly structured elements reminiscent of the windings of electric motors - a clear reference to the modern, all‑electric drive. The wheels form a vivid contrast to the iconically reduced and smooth body shape of the vehicle, which is reminiscent of a sculptural work of art.

Whether it be performance or status, the wheel will continue to be a means of expressing sophistication and culture in the future. The “bubble wheels” of the Mercedes‑Benz VISION AVTR provide a futuristic outlook. The film “Avatar” served as inspiration for their design. The treads and the illuminated spokes merge to form a completely new type of wheel sculpture. Thanks to their almost spherical shape, the wheels enable new driving movements and a small turning circle. This is because they minimise the contact surface of the tyres with the ground. All four wheels can change direction individually. In other words, they can move forwards, backwards and even diagonally – exceptionally functional and visually perfect.


The Mercedes-Benz C 111 at Pebble Beach, 2024

 



Running again: The C 111 super sports car with a rotary piston engine is back on the road. Even at its world premiere in September 1969, it caused a considerable stir. At Pebble Beach Automotive Week from 15 to 18 August, 2024, the experimental vehicle, which was never built in series, once again caused a sensation among the public.

“We are extremely grateful that Mercedes-Benz Classic entered an original C 111 with a Wankel engine in our featured class ‘Wedge Shaped Concept Cars & Prototypes’ of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2024. It’s really a cornerstone of that type of design. There’s so much history embodied in this car – it’s still just as significant today as it has been in its youth. Mercedes-Benz Classic brings history back to life.” 
Sandra Button, Chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

“The Mercedes Targa-Florio racing car with supercharged engine from 1924 and the Mercedes-Benz C 111-II with Wankel engine from 1970 are examples of how our company continues to push technical boundaries in the areas of engine technology and lightweight construction: Open to new technologies, the engineers exhausted the feasibility of the respective eras in both vehicles. This remains our guideline for all vehicles with the three-pointed star.” 
Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH

A 1970 C 111-II from the company’s own collection led the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance on 15 August, together with the 100-year-old Mercedes 2-litre Targa Florio racing car and a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4MATIC+ (combined energy consumption: 14.1 l/100 km | CO₂ emissions combined: 319 g/km | CO₂ class: G*). For this purpose, the experts at Mercedes-Benz Classic had resurrected the original, well-preserved four-rotor Wankel engine of the C 111-II. The super sports car brilliantly completed the 100-kilometre route on Highway 1 to Big Sur and back.

At the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, 18 August, the sports coupĂ© was in the special class “Wedge Shaped Concept Cars & Prototypes” – outside the classification.

The pictures of the event can be found here: mb4.me/xW2GE7mF

Also on display at the event was an original 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R, which the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will have auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum towards the end of 2024. Experts see a potential record bid for the vehicle. After Pebble Beach Automotive Week 2024, the Formula One race car will receive a manufacturer’s expertise at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach.
More details: media.mercedes-benz.com/article/f7cbe8be-0bf1-4099-b0ab-b59d0c6bd3b0

Two Mercedes-Benz world premieres in the classic car environment

The new Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series celebrated its world premiere (provisional figures, combined energy consumption: 13.7 l/100 km | CO₂ emissions combined: 312 g/km | CO₂ class: G).[1] The brand continues the tradition of the Maybach Motorenbau company with glamorous automobiles. The new sports car of the absolute luxury class impressed the guests on the “Concept Lawn” of the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Mercedes-Benz also paid tribute to the anniversary “130 years of Motorsport” at Pebble Beach this year. The chronological reference for the motor racing anniversary is the first automotive competition, which led from Paris to Rouen on 22 July 1894 and ended with a victory for vehicles with Daimler licensed engines. To mark this historic milestone, the limited Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport celebrated its world premiere in Pebble Beach.

The brand’s motorsport history was also honored by an impressive line-up of historic motorsport vehicles at Pebble Beach. It included a Mercedes-Benz W 154 (1939) and W 196 R (1955) formula racing cars as well as the Penske-Mercedes PC 23 (1994). Also on display were 300 SL racing sports cars (W 194, 1952), 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198, 1954 to 1957), Sauber-Mercedes C 9 (1989), and CLK-GTR (C 297, 1998). Further information on 130 years of motorsport from Mercedes-Benz: 
media.mercedes-benz.com/article/764f404c-7ea6-4d60-8e4a-608a511301ff

Standard work on the development history of the C 111 is published in English

We will have to wait until 28 March 2025, when the standard work on the development history of the C 111 published by Mercedes-Benz Classic will finally be available in English. The extended English-language version “C 111 – The Definitive History of the Mysterious Supercar that never was” can already be pre-ordered from Schiffer Publishing at schifferbooks.com/products/mercedes-benz-c-111?_pos=1&_sid=ae87fdeca&_ss=r.

The German edition of Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart, can be ordered here:
www.mercedes-benz-classic-store.com/bibliothek/buecher/4017/mercedes-benz-c111-design-ikone-traumsportwagen-und-rekordjaeger

Further information on the highlight vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Classic in Pebble Beach: