Silver Arrows changes to MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team

The Silver Arrows Mercedes-Benz works team will change its name for the 2012 F1 season, to promote the AMG brand.

Competing with the new name, "MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team", it seeks to highlight the success of 40 years worth of motorsport and vehicle enhancement.

AMG is actually the most successful name in DTM racing, winning 165 races from 342 since 1988, as well as racking up a total of 32 driver, manufacturer and team titles.

But its connection with Formula 1 has really been cemented since 1996, whereby it has been supplying both the Formula 1 Safety Car and the Formula 1 Medical Car.

“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, 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.”

Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, was equally effusive.

"It is an historic first for the AMG name to be associated to the works Silver Arrows team," he said.

In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Formula One driveline workshop at Brixworth, UK will now be renamed "Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains".