Where Mercedes-Benz is concerned, the fascination of competition and of continuity at the highest level is as strong as the trademark itself. This is attributable to first-class products in all vehicle segments, as well as to the all-out determination to engage in sporting competitions. Customer wishes and markets in the global environment change all the time – and the company is responding to these changes on an ongoing basis.

Determination to show one’s mettle in competition is also, and in particular, expressed by Mercedes-Benz’s activities in motor sports. In racing, it is clear to see who’s out in the lead – this is where engineering, team and tactics must be well matched to score success. The commitment reflects positively on the brand, and this in turn justifies the enormous costs. As early as 1907/1908, the annual report of Benz had this to say: “We consider the additional expenditure on racing to be indispensable for our brand to hold its own in international competition.” Today, sponsors and partners use the popularity of motor sports for their own interests and thus reduce the financial risk.

While still in its infancy at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, the automobile already demonstrated its performance and reliability in competitions. Vehicles of Benz and Daimler competed in all famous racing events around the world. And they established new speed records time and again. The Lighting Benz is an impressive example of this; in 1909 it was the first car to exceed the magic mark of 200 km/h. Soon afterwards, the supercharged racing cars from Mercedes-Benz appeared on the scene and dominated all major racing events.

The classic Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows

The company’s early racing history culminated in a very special chapter in the 1930s: the era of the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows. They scored top results in international races, set the standards in terms of sporting spirit, and put the engineering to the acid test. The Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows were evidence for the company’s commitment to competition – every year and with every driver. At the same time, every victory clinched with these special racing cars and every record established contributed to a legend which has been intriguing people to this very day, and which is effortlessly being continued by the modern-day Silver Arrows which have been entered in racing since the 1990s.

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