On the identical day as McLaren, Mercedes have additionally proven off their 2024 F1 automotive with which the crew needs to carry its efficiency following two troublesome F1 campaigns.
Mercedes acknowledged that their 2024 F1 automotive, the W15 builds on the learnings from the earlier two seasons and so they hope that the brand new automotive will allow the crew to amplify alterations that aren’t potential in the course of the season.
These modifications embrace a brand new chassis, and new gearbox casing. Aerodynamically, as ever, the main target has been on effectivity, the limitless quest for locating extra downforce with much less drag and delivering it to the tack in a way that enhances the operate of the suspension and tyres.
An enormous focus has been on enhancing the earlier automotive’s unpredictable rear axle. The crew have labored laborious to make sure that each axles, however notably the rear axle, retain higher management of the tyre than on the W14. There’s additionally been some housekeeping on areas during which we had room for enchancment, together with the DRS impact, and pit cease efficiency.
However, it’s the underside of the automotive the place the principle differentiating elements lie. James Allison mentioned: “With this present technology of automobiles, a lot of the efficiency comes from how the ground interacts with the highway. Whether or not a automotive is efficient is right down to how effectively that flooring is permitted to behave aerodynamically.
Dialling out the inconsistent efficiency of the W14 and its generally spiteful rear-end has been a key technical focus. Both George and Lewis are clear on the rewards that would carry if the crew has been ready to take action.
F1 2024. Here we come 👊 pic.twitter.com/vvYL8BAx6P
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 14, 2024
“We know we have a mountain to climb to fight at the very front. There are no miracles in this sport,” Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, commented. “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.”
Behind-the-wheel of the W15 can be race drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
“We’ve learnt and grown as a team over the past two seasons,” George commented. “It’s not been plain sailing, but I truly believe the journey we’ve been on will make us stronger in the long run. The whole team has been working incredibly hard and we hope to have made a step with the W15,” he continued.
“The learnings of the past two years have helped us find our direction,” Lewis added. “It’s enabled us to find our north star. 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.”
Dialling out the inconsistent efficiency of the W14 and its generally spiteful rear-end has been a key technical focus. Both George and Lewis are clear on the rewards that would carry if the crew has been ready to take action.
Lewis defined: “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.”
“We made progress with some of the nastier characteristics of the W14 throughout last year. But we still had a narrow operating window and, once we were outside of that, the car was difficult to drive. If we can continue to widen the operating window of the car, that will provide confidence for us as a drivers and from there, lap time is easier to find,” George added.
