Mercedes pulls back the curtains on new W15: 'I couldn't sleep last night'

Mercedes has turned the black page in the literal sense of the word. For the 2024 Formula 1 season, the nose of their new car – the W15 – will once again be silver. “I can't wait to get behind the wheel,” George Russell said.

Silver Arrow is back. As the penultimate F1 team, Mercedes has introduced its new car and the silver-coloured nose immediately catches the eye. Will the German racing team return to its successful years after a year in the black?

This is certainly the hope of team boss Toto Wolff. Mercedes ranked second in the Constructors' Championship last season, but the difference with champion Red Bull was not less than 451 points.

“There are no miracles in this sport,” Wolff said. “But our ambition is strong. We want to have a strong season with a reliable car.”

However, the word “world title” was not mentioned once during the performance. Toto Wolff also realizes that Red Bull cannot simply be brought back. “In 2022, we got the new rules completely wrong,” he said.

“If you look back in 10 years, third and second place in the Constructors' Championship doesn't look bad after eight world titles in a row. But that's not true when almost all the races are won by one driver.”

What is Mercedes' goal in 2024? “We want to confirm our position against Ferrari and McLaren,” Wolff said. “But we also want to get back to the front. We love a challenge.”

2024 will also be 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's final season with the German racing team. “It's emotional. It's a surreal feeling,” said the Briton, who will switch to Ferrari in 2025 after 12 seasons.

For the rest, the record champion remained clearly in the background during the performance. Teammate George Russell, who should be the team's star in 2025, demanded the spotlight.

“We've been working hard and I can't wait to get behind the wheel,” the 25-year-old Briton said. “I couldn't even sleep last night. It was so stressful.”

“I have an idea of ​​the improvements we've made, but you don't know what the competitors have done. Everyone is waiting with bated breath, but I'm confident.”