Mercedes is going green at this weekend’s Singapore GP

Folks, there’s a chance it’ll be difficult to tell Mercedes and Aston Martin apart under the lights at the Singapore GP this weekend, for the Silver Arrows are turning into the Emerald Green Arrows (our words, not theirs) for one night only.

Well, three nights if you include practice and qualifying. We digress. This one-off livery is intended to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the team’s title sponsor Petronas, which has supplied the team’s fuel and lubricants ever since it returned to the grid in 2010.

And why Singapore? Since F1 hasn’t raced in Malaysia for a good number of years, Singapore is now the closest event to the company’s HQ in Kuala Lumpur.

“The livery looks incredible,” said Lewis Hamilton, who along with George Russell will be paying a visit to the Petronas Towers for a piece of 50th birthday cake en route to the race. “I can't wait to see it on the car in the garage tomorrow and then to get behind-the-wheel on Friday. I am sure the fans will love seeing it up close and it will shine brightly under the lights of Singapore."

And team boss Toto Wolff added: “We look forward to continuing our relationship for many more years to come, and with exciting challenges ahead such as the introduction of sustainable fuels in 2026. This livery is therefore not only a celebration of their 50th anniversary, but a reflection of Petronas' importance in our team's story and honours our journey together.”

Ah yes, sustainable fuels. Along with cleaner, hybridier engines, those are being introduced as part of a rules ‘n’ regs shake up in a couple of years’ time.