Mercedes finally secures maiden constructor's title

Mercedes, it's one of the most prestigious names in the automotive world. The marque is well on its way to securing a 1-2 finish in the World Championship and collecting just their third driver's title in the process.

They won the driver's title in both 1954 and 1955 with the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio at the helm. However, they have never been crowned a Formula One constructor's champion. Part of the reasoning behind that has to be because although the FIA Formula One World Championship officially started in 1950, constructor titles were not awarded until 1958.

Early years

Prior to the existence of F1, Mercedes had enjoyed success in grand prix racing with their Silver Arrows. During their domination of F1 in 1954 and 1955, anything seemed possible for Mercedes. Tragically, that notion turned out to be horribly true.

During the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, the most disturbing and horrific accident in motor racing history took place. Pierre Levegh was killed in a crash while driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. Following his demise, the wreckage went on to kill over 80 spectators.

Self-imposed ban and return

Mercedes' involvement in motorsports would cease to exist soon after. They slowly released themselves from the self-imposed ban and over half a century later, they made their presence known at the pinnacle of auto racing once more, Formula One.

Two Germans were hired to pilot their cars - Nico Rosberg and seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher. The team earned just three podiums that season, all earned by Rosberg. In 2011, they struggled to contend with the leaders.

Slow improvement

2012, their hard work was awarded with a win in the Chinese GP, procured by Rosberg. They moved back into the shadows after that triumph, failing to win another race for the remainder of the year. In 2013, Lewis Hamilton was hired to replace an outgoing Schumacher.

He and Nico proved that Mercedes could be a threat once again, winning three races, including the Monaco GP. Despite their impressive step up in performance, no one could have foreseen what they would do in 2014. 

Mercedes conquers once more

16 races have been contested this season and an astonishing 13 of them have been won by Mercedes. They've also started from pole in every event, sans one. The driver's championship will go down to the wire, but will most certainly be won by one of the two warring Mercedes drivers. The constructor's title, well, that is already in the hands of Mercedes.

They came, they saw, they conquered, and then they vanished under a cloud of criticism and tragedy. 55 years later, they returned quietly, but after four years, they have become conquerors once more.