Mercedes-Benz and Motorsports

Mercedes-Benz can claim to have one of the longest running associations with motor racing than any other automobile manufacturer. Mercedes-Benz claims to have taken part in the very first car race, all the way back in 1894 between Paris and Rouen in France. Hence its relationship with Grand Prix racing is as old as the sport itself.
Now after years as McLaren's engine supplier, Mercedes-Benz will now also step into the ring to fight alone this season, following their November takeover of the Brawn team.
Motor racing became increasingly popular after the World War-I as cars became progressively more powerful and tracks were created, normally on closed public roads. The Nazi regime in Germany had recognised the propaganda value that racing offered and both the Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union teams were encouraged to build the fastest and most exciting cars possible to race against each other.
Those days were a period of intense, dramatic and incredibly dangerous racing. The speed and performance of racing cars was completely unmatched by any safety provisions.
Racing was suspended during the war and it took some time for Mercedes-Benz to return to the racing battlefield. It was in the 1951 race in Argentina that Neubauer re-entered the racing scene with three pre-war race cars. A full return was made to the new Formula One category in 1954 with the beautiful W196, adapted from the 300 SL sports car and powered by a fuel injected eight cylinder in-line engine. Drivers Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling scored a commanding one-two victory in the car's very first outing at the 1954 French Grand Prix and Fangio won the World Championship. In 1955 Mercedes-Benz withdrew from motorsport following a massive accident at the 24 Hours Le Mans race when Pierre Levegh of Mercedes-Benz somersaulted into a stand at over 241 km/h after a collision and 79 spectators were killed. The company only returned to motorsport again in 1984, entering touring car and then sports car racing.