The F1 News that has caused a major stir is the possibility of Hamilton joining Ferrari. This news has overshadowed the launch of the Mercedes W15 and Hamilton’s test drive at Silverstone. It is worth noting that this will be the last time he drives a car powered by Mercedes.
Hamilton has had a successful partnership with the German team. All of his impressive 103 Grand Prix victories (and 104 pole position starts) were achieved with Mercedes power, even during his time with McLaren, the only other team he has raced for in Formula 1.
The history of Mercedes in Formula 1 is remarkable. When Wolff and Hamilton joined the team in 2013, they transformed the former BAR and Honda Brawn GP into the dominant force of the sport. Over the course of eight years, they won an astonishing 15 F1 world titles, with Hamilton securing six championships and Nico Rosberg winning one.
However, Hamilton’s last victory in a Grand Prix was in Saudi in 2021. Since then, he has experienced the longest winless streak of his illustrious career. This can be attributed to poor decisions made by Mercedes regarding the new F1 aero rules in 2022, which they failed to get right while Red Bull succeeded.
During the launch of the 2024 Mercedes F1 car, Wolff spoke to Sky F1 and expressed his hopes for more victories with the all-new W15. This car represents a radical departure from their previous designs, with significant changes both in terms of aerodynamics and mechanical components. The team is determined to fight at the front of the grid, although they acknowledge the challenges they face.
In the 2023 F1 Constructors’ standings, Mercedes finished second to Red Bull. However, they not only failed to secure any victories but also scored less than half the points of the reigning World Champions. In fact, Max Verstappen alone scored more points than the entire Mercedes team.
Wolff and his team have set out to turn negatives into positives, using the past as a learning experience. They have unveiled a new black and silver design for the Mercedes W15 in 2024. According to Wolff, the previous two years were necessary for the team to make adjustments and reinvent themselves. It hasn’t been an easy process, but they have made progress and are excited for the next step with the W15. The team believes that performance is crucial, especially considering the weight of the current generation of cars. They have brought back the iconic Mercedes silver to complement the black livery that has become a defining feature of their team identity.
In terms of partnerships, Petronas and INEOS are the main sponsors featured on the Mercedes W15 livery. Wolff explained that the team’s commercial strategy has evolved, and they now focus on building long-term relationships with select partners. Their goal is to deliver a clear return on investment and be the best in every area. By refining their partner ecosystem, they believe they can achieve this.
The new design concept by Mercedes will be put to the test at the Bahrain F1 Testing next week. The team is intrigued to see how the car will perform and hopes to have solved some of the challenges they faced in the past. Pre-season testing will provide the first indications of the progress they have made. While there are no guarantees in this sport, Wolff is confident in their ambition and readiness to face the upcoming challenges. The Bahrain Grand Prix on March 1 will be the ultimate test for the team.
Toto Wolff shared his thoughts on the new look livery for 2024, expressing his excitement for the upcoming season. The team is eager to see the car in action and is prepared for the challenges ahead.
According to the Source grandprix247.com