[6] During the three testing days, the car completed 392 laps; a total of 1,832 km (1,138 mi), which equivalent close to 6 race distances.

[6] Both tests showed that the car appeared to be suffering handling and balance problems partly due to excessive porpoising, with Hamilton writing off the team's chances of winning the first race of the season.

The W13 was set to run in a special "Red Pig" livery at the Belgian Grand Prix to celebrate 55 years of Mercedes-AMG, the livery itself was a half-and-half paint job, inspired by the 1971 24 hours of Spa class winning Mercedes-AMG "Rote Sau" 300 SEL 6.8 race car.

[10] But later, Mercedes decided to not to use the special livery, due to weight issues and lack of time as three back-to-back races were scheduled for the upcoming three weeks.

Despite being a less competitive car compared to its predecessors, it was reliable until Hamilton retired in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi with a hydraulics problem on lap 55.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team Principal, claims that he intends to "put these cars in the reception at Brackley and in Brixworth to remind us every single day how difficult it can be".