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| Category | Grand Prix | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Mercedes-Benz | ||||
| Designer(s) | Max Sailer Albert Heess Max Wagner Rudolf Uhlenhaut | ||||
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz W125 | ||||
| Technical specifications | |||||
| Chassis | Oval tubular frame | ||||
| Suspension (front) | Independent suspension with wishbones, coil springs, hydraulic dampers | ||||
| Suspension (rear) | De Dion axle, torsion bars, cockpit adjustable hydraulic dampers | ||||
| Engine | M154 & M163 3.0 litre V12 (60°) supercharged front-engine, longitudinally mounted | ||||
| Transmission | Mercedes-Benz 5-speed manual transmission ZF differential | ||||
| Weight | 980 kg (2,161 lb) (1938) 910 kg (2,006 lb) (1939) | ||||
| Tyres | Continental | ||||
| Competition history | |||||
| Notable entrants | Daimler-Benz AG | ||||
| Notable drivers | Manfred von Brauchitsch Rudolf Caracciola Juan Manuel Fangio Karl Kling Hermann Lang Richard Seaman | ||||
| Debut | 1938 Pau Grand Prix (non-championship) 1938 French Grand Prix (European Championship) | ||||
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| Drivers' Championships | 1[1] | ||||
The Mercedes-Benz W154 was a Grand Prix racing car designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The W154 competed in the 1938 and 1939 Grand Prix seasons and was used by Rudolf Caracciola to win the 1938 European Championship.
The W154 was created as a result of a rule change by the sports governing body AIACR, which limited supercharged engine capacities to 3000cc. Mercedes' previous car, the supercharged 5700cc W125, was therefore ineligible. The company decided that a new car based on the chassis of the W125 and designed to comply with the new regulations would be preferable to modifying the existing car.
Although using the same chassis design as the 1938 car, a different body was used for the 1939 season and the M154 engine used during 1938 was replaced by the M163. As a result of the new engine, the 1939 car is often mistakenly referred to as a Mercedes-Benz W163.[2]
- ^ The 1939 championship was not officially completed due to the outbreak of World War II. Although Auto Union driver Hermann Paul Müller lead the points standings, the German motorsport authority declared Mercedes driver Hermann Lang the winner. As this is disputed, and the results of the championship were not officially announced, this championship has not been counted towards the total.
- ^ Mercedes-Benz W154 (1939 body) (Grand Prix 3 Litre)