The Mercedes-AMG F1 W15 E Performance, often called the Mercedes W15, is a Formula One racing car developed by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team for the 2024 Formula One World Championship.
The Mercedes-AMG F1 car has been driven by returning drivers George Russell, 7-time World Drivers' Champion Lewis Hamilton, in his final season with the team. Additionally, Kimi Antonelli, making his Formula 1 debut drove the W15 in a free-practice session.
Team Principal Toto Wolff revealed that the W15 would undergo major changes to its chassis, weight distribution, and aerodynamics to improve competitiveness in 2024. Lewis Hamilton shared the team's positive outlook and confirmed he had checked the Mercedes-AMG F1 W15 progress in the wind tunnel before the off-season break.
Season Summary of the Mercedes W15
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Opening Rounds
The W15 debuted with cautious optimism but fell short of expectations in the opening races. The car showed promise in qualifying but struggled with race pace and tire management, leaving the team playing catch-up to rivals like Red Bull and Ferrari. A few top-five finishes provided early insights into areas needing improvement. -
Mid-Season Progress
By the mid-season rounds, Mercedes introduced significant upgrades, focusing on aerodynamics and chassis balance. These changes brought noticeable gains, with the team consistently fighting for podiums. A standout performance came with a hard-fought victory, showcasing the potential of the updated MERCEDES F1 W15. However, consistency remained a challenge, especially on high-speed circuits. -
Post-Summer Break
Returning from the summer break, the MERCEDES F1 W15 continued to show incremental improvement. Key developments to weight distribution and rear stability helped the car perform better on diverse track layouts. The team maintained a positive trajectory, with both drivers delivering solid results, including multiple podium finishes in the final stretch of the season. -
Final Rounds
In the closing races, the MERCEDES F1 W15 demonstrated its best form of the season, though it still couldn't fully close the gap to the frontrunners. The team ended on a high note with a strong finish in the last race, providing momentum and valuable insights for the next season. Overall, the MERCEDES F1 W15 laid a strong foundation for future development despite falling short of title contention.
