P1 with Matt and Tommy Our reaction to the Mercedes F1 car launch
Jan 22, 2026
The hosts celebrate their win at the Autosport Awards and dive into the new Mercedes livery. They debate whether the design is too busy, with mixed reactions about its potential on track. The discussion shifts to the merits of livestreaming launches versus static renders, questioning Mercedes' approach. Rumors about an engine advantage spark discussions on championship favorites and potential challengers like McLaren. Testing secrecy and future reveals also make for an intriguing conversation, setting the stage for what’s to come.
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Fresh Reaction After Autosport Win
- Matt and Tom attended the Autosport Awards and won a fan-voted creator prize, leaving them excited but groggy the next morning.
- They recorded immediate reactions to the Mercedes livery while still buzzing from the event.
Renders Aren't The Final Car
- Mercedes released renders not a physical car, so the launch mainly showcased livery, not technical innovations.
- The hosts note renders often differ significantly from the real car at testing and races.
Design Split: Stripes Versus Stars
- Matt likes the new Mercedes stripes and overall flow, while Tom finds the stripes cheesy and distracting from the faded stars at the rear.
- The disagreement highlights subjective design tastes and the risk of overcomplicating liveries.