The Mercedes-AMG F1 W15 E Performance broke covers on Wednesday, revealing the return of its trademark silver fusion to the W15 challenger livery for 2024, celebrating the Silver Arrows 90th anniversary.
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team introduced its newest challenger, the W15, for the 2024 season, ahead of shakedown at Silverstone, where seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and George Russell drove the car on a rainy afternoon.
Hitting the track for our first run with W15 pic.twitter.com/6SLK7EOR9y
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 14, 2024
The W15 livery combines the German squad’s unique and legendary silver fusion with bold carbon and deep black color, adding a subtle touch of red, with green painting the sleek lines.
In that regard, Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, commented: “Performance was always at the forefront of our minds with the black livery last year. Weight is a crucial factor in this current generation of cars. We knew that, once we were in a 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 livery truly reflects who we are as a team with the distinctive colors of INEOS and PETRONAS providing important highlights.”
A new chassis and gearbox casing add to the upgrades the car displays.
Meanwhile, the design showcases a notorious focus on achieving the efficiency required aerodynamically, allowing more downforce with less drag, coming down to the floor interaction with the road.
The result of a year in the marking will see the new contender embarking on a journey the Brackley-based outfit hopes leads them back to winning ways after two challenging years.
“As the saying goes, when it stings, it sticks,” Wolff added.
“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 have 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.”
Furthermore, Technical Director James Allison addressed the evolution process in the lead-up to a new season at the pinnacle of motorsport.
“The design of any car is an iterative process. And a long one at that. It stretches back to last year. A new car enables the team to make bigger alterations that are not possible during the season. These are decisions taken during the preceding summer.”
In addition, he outlined: “A big focus has been on improving the previous car’s unpredictable rear axle. We have worked hard to ensure that both axles, particularly the rear axle, retain better control of the tire than on the W14.
“There’s also been some housekeeping on areas we had room for improvement, including the DRS effect and pit stop performance.”
During the launch event, the drivers, who will be looking to extract the maximum from the W15 across a record-breaking 24-race season, shared their thoughts and expectations.
“The learnings of the past two years have helped us find our direction. It’s enabled us to find our north star,” Hamilton asserted.
“It’s still going to be a work in progress, but we will face whatever challenges present themselves with our heads up, with open minds, and work through diligently.”
The 39-year-old, who will contest his last season with Mercedes before moving to Scuderia Ferrari, also explained: “A more stable, more predictable car will enable us to extract the potential from not only the car but ourselves as drivers.”
For his part, teammate Russell stressed: “F1 is an incredibly difficult sport. It’s very hard to win. And that is why we love it.”
“Every woman and man at Brackley and Brixworth is so focused on getting to the top. We continue with that focus and dedication into 2024, and I’m excited to see where that takes us.”
Mick Schumacher and Frederik Vesti are the team reserve drivers.
Pre-season testing will be held at the Bahrain International Circuit over three days, from February 21 to 23, gearing up for the season opener, the 2024 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, on March 2.
