---
title: "This Is How the 2018 Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 Car Sounds"
description: "The reigning world champions have fire up their new title contender, but don't get too excited just yet."
date: "2018-02-12"
modified: "2018-02-12"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18405/this-is-how-the-2018-mercedes-amg-formula-1-car-sounds"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Formula 1"
  - "Mercedes-AMG"
  - "Mercedes-AMG"
  - "motorsports"
  - "racing"
---

# This Is How the 2018 Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 Car Sounds

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/02/m60815-1-1280x854.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

[Mercedes-AMG](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/18365/mercedes-amg-and-the-cigarette-racing-team-through-the-years>) Petronas will be unveiling its newest racing machine on February 28, and every man and woman inside the team's headquarters is feeling the pressure ahead of the 2018 season opener in Melbourne, Australia. But by the looks of it, the heavy bags under their eyes aren't keeping them from having a little fun by teasing the fans ahead of the official reveal.

These [videos](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i1cmaHACr4>) recently uploaded by the UK-based racing team give us a sneak peek of the rigorous development program of the new chassis and engine, and even show us a firing up of the new W09—albeit for a few short seconds. The first video shows Executive Director and Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Toto Wolff and the engineering team gathering around W09 as the 1,000-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine is ignited for the first time.

https://youtube.com/embed/4i1cmaHACr4

The second video titled "Behind the Scenes: What's Happening at the Factory" features interviews of several team members from the design, aerodynamics, [composites](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18399/f1-halo-capable-of-holding-double-decker-bus-says-mercedes>), and machining departments. Oh, and did I mention that they all look like they haven't slept in three months?

https://youtube.com/embed/2T-nRAEEQHk

There's an old adage in the world of competitive sports that implies that it's harder to *remain* at the top than it is to *get* to the top. The [Mercedes-AMG Petronas](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/14286/mercedes-amgs-f1-engine-has-cracked-50-percent-thermal-efficiency-report-says>) team knows that they have a big target painted on their backs, and they aren't taking any chances.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)