Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe Mercedes F1 W04 was the team’s car for the 2013 Formula One season, driven by Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. It was quick over one lap but initially hard on its tyres: Mercedes took four consecutive poles and three Grand Prix wins, yet finished second overall as Red Bull pulled ahead later in the season. The W04 was also Hamilton’s first Mercedes and the team’s final car of the V8 era.
What was the Mercedes W04?
The W04 was Mercedes’ 2013 Formula One car. At its launch, team principal Ross Brawn described it as “a clear step forward in design,” according to the FIA’s launch report. Mercedes-AMG later characterized it as “Lewis’ first Mercedes, the last of the screaming V8s”—a historical description of its place in the team’s story, rather than a technical specification.
Hamilton and Rosberg were the team’s drivers. For Hamilton, 2013 marked the start of his Mercedes career; for the team, the W04 was its last V8-era car. The available historical accounts establish that context, but do not provide a complete technical specification for the W04.
How competitive was the W04?
Formula 1’s Mercedes season retrospective describes the W04 as inherently quick but initially difficult on tyres. Its qualifying speed was clear: Mercedes earned four consecutive poles. That pace did not translate into sustained control of the championship, however; Red Bull outpaced Mercedes over the latter part of the season, and Mercedes finished second overall.
#1 Best Overall
- Performance for the display case - Experience the Mercedes-Benz car from Kimi Antonelli in a compact format. The detailed metal injection moulded model in 1:43 scale impresses with its precise replica and is a must for any collector who wants to present the future of silver arrows in style
- Robust toy for kids - This car is built for top speed in the children's room. Thanks to the high-quality die-cast process, the vehicle is particularly durable and can withstand even intensive racing operations - the ideal fun for young pilots aged 3 and over
- Loved in detail - Technology to discover! The free-running wheels and the faithful aerodynamics of the W16 invite you to explore the world of Formula 1 playfully and experience the fascination of the premier class up close
- Eye-catching in the window box – whether on the shelf, on the display case or on the desk: the high-quality paint and the official sponsor logos make the model a real highlight. In the window packaging, it is also perfectly protected from dust
- Perfect gift - The ultimate gift for big and small motorsport enthusiasts. The perfect combination of a high-quality collector's item and a durable toy car that perfectly expresses the passion for Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli
The team recorded three race wins in 2013. The Formula 1 results archive lists Rosberg as the winner in Monaco and Great Britain, and Hamilton as the winner in Hungary.
How the three wins unfolded
Monaco: Rosberg converts pole
Rosberg started from pole and won the Monaco Grand Prix, giving Mercedes its first victory of the 2013 season. The FIA’s race report says Mercedes initially managed the pace to conserve tyre life under a planned one-stop strategy. A safety car and a later stoppage altered the course of the race. Hamilton finished fourth.
Rank #2
- 1/24 car in metal
- Vehicle screwed on base, in blister: no box
- A great gift idea!
Great Britain: Rosberg wins amid tyre failures
Rosberg won at Silverstone, but the race also exposed the risks of treating the W04’s speed as an easy guarantee of results. Hamilton suffered an early rear-left tyre failure and recovered to finish fourth. Other tyre failures affected the event as well, according to the FIA’s British Grand Prix report.
Hungary: Hamilton takes his first Mercedes win
Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix, his first victory as a Mercedes driver. It was the team’s third win of the year and the last of the W04’s three victories. The event winner is recorded in Formula 1’s 2013 results archive. Mercedes-Benz Media’s season account also notes Hamilton’s podium finishes in Malaysia and China, alongside later team podiums in Canada, Belgium, India and Abu Dhabi.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS F1 TEAM BUILDING SET – LEGO Speed Champions Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Race Car vehicle building set for boys and girls ages 10 and up to build, display and race.
- DRIVER MINIFIGURE – This car playset includes a driver minifigure wearing a Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team outfit and a winged helmet for kids to place inside the cockpit for role-play race action.
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS – The F1 race car features design details from the real-life 2024 version, including sponsor stickers and wider rear tires imprinted with “Pirelli”.
- F1 FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – Race for the checkered flag alongside the whole family using other building sets (sold separately) in the LEGO F1 range.
- RACE CAR DISPLAY MODEL – After kids have enjoyed playing out racing stories with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team toy, they can display it on a shelf or bedside table.
What the W04 represents in Mercedes history
The W04 sits between two significant moments: Hamilton’s move to Mercedes and the end of the team’s V8-era cars. Its record captures a season of transition. The car had the qualifying speed to take four straight poles and the race pace to win three times, but its early tyre difficulty and the team’s inability to match Red Bull later in the year kept it from becoming a title-winning car.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Finding a Mercedes W04 model
A historical Minichamps catalog hosted by Homble lists 1:43-scale W04 models for both Rosberg and Hamilton, including a Rosberg Monaco winner edition. The catalog confirms those variants were listed, not that they are currently available or that any present-day listing has a particular condition or price. When comparing a collectible, check the driver, whether it is the standard 2013 car or the Monaco winner edition, the scale, and the seller’s current stock and condition.
Rank #4
- 1/24 car in metal
- Vehicle screwed on base, in blister: no box
- A great gift idea!
W04 specifications: what is established
The sources cited here support the car’s season identity and results, but do not establish a full technical specification table or a separately attributed season points total. No engine power, dimensions, weight or points figure is included here rather than filling those gaps with unverified numbers.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →
