Mercedes have unveiled the W15 car which will be raced by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in the 2024 F1 season.
Having gone through the 2023 season without a single race win for the first time since 2011, Mercedes have unveiled their W15 car for the new campaign which has seen a merge of their silver and black liveries of recent seasons.
The silver livery is displayed across the front nose whilst the black livery is encompassed across the rear of the car and front wing.
“We know we have a mountain to climb to fight at the very front. There are no miracles in this sport,” warned Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of Mercedes. “But our ambition and determination are strong. Since charting this new course, development has progressed well.
“We had several items on our priority list for this car. We will soon see if we’ve made the step we’ve aimed for.”
Wolff went on to explain that “performance” was behind the return to black livery for the W14 car but for this season’s car, weight became an important factor behind the merging of silver and black liveries.
“Weight is a crucial factor in this current generation of cars. We knew that, once we were in position to do so, we would bring back the Mercedes silver to accompany the black that has become a pillar of our team identity.”
” The nose section therefore transforms to silver, with the iconic three-pointed star pattern on the engine cover. The distinguished INEOS ‘Toto Rosso’ red features predominantly on the rear-wing and roll hoop in a nod to INEOS Sport, with PETRONAS green providing a dynamic flow across the car.” Technical Director, James Allison meanwhile explained that the W15 car design stretched back to lessons learned from last year’s W14 car, whilst enabling Mercedes “to make bigger alterations that are not possible during the season. These are decisions that are taken during the preceding summer. “These changes include a new chassis, and new gearbox casing. Aerodynamically, as ever, the focus has been on efficiency. The endless quest for finding more downforce with less drag and delivering it to the track in a manner that complements the function of the suspension and tyres.”
Allison proceeded to explain that Mercedes’ main focus “has been on improving the previous car’s unpredictable rear axle,” with both axles now expected to “retain better control of the tyre than on the W14.”
Allison therefore is quietly confident of Mercedes’ chances this season as he commented: “We feel like we have had a good winter, but F1 is a relative game and only time will tell how big a step we’ve made.
“We’re focused on getting the most from the car we launch, but we are excited by the development race that will follow as the regulations are still young and opportunities abound,” concluded Allison.
Wolff added that their struggles across the last two seasons has allowed the team to refocus and evolve to hopefully fight back for success this season. “As the saying goes: when it stings, it sticks. I believe the previous two years were necessary for us to readjust, recalibrate and reinvent ourselves in certain areas.
“That root-and-branch approach is never easy. But we’ve made progress and look forward to taking the next step with the W15. It won’t be a linear path, but when we stumble, we will get back up and keep climbing.”
Russell echoed Wolff’s thoughts as he insisted that Mercedes have “learnt and grown as a team over the past two seasons,” as he gears up for a third season with the team.
“It’s not been plain sailing, but I truly believe the journey we’ve been on will make us stronger in the long run.”
Hamilton meanwhile is entering his final season with Mercedes prior to his move to Ferrari in 2025 but believes that enduring two winless seasons for himself has helped the team “find our direction,” but iterated that the W15 is “still going to be a work in progress,” at this stage.
On potentially having a stronger car performance, Hamilton added: “If you’re not comfortable with the car, you’re not able to extract the maximum performance. A more stable, more predictable car will enable us to extract the potential from not only the car, but ourselves as drivers.”
Mick Schumacher and 2023 F2 vice-champion, Frederik Vesti will continue as reserve drivers for this season.
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