Mercedes hopes its new W15 car is the one to challenge Red Bull and end their two years of dominance in Formula 1.

Launched on Wednesday at Silverstone, the black livery from last season has been given some traditional Mercedes silver and the same green used on the title sponsor logo Petronas.

The W15 will be the last that Lewis Hamilton drives for Mercedes as he finishes his 12th and final year with the team before moving to Ferrari in 2025. He and George Russell will look to better their 3rd and 8th place finishes in the driver’s championship, respectively.

Both British drivers as well as team principal Toto Wolff were present at the launch and Wolff commented ahead of the new season.

Toto Wolff
On challenging Red Bull - “I would hope we are in the chasing pack at the beginning of the season and hopefully a step closer to Red Bull.”

On Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari - ”We knew our partnership with Lewis would come to an end one day. We thought maybe at the end of 2025, so the timing came as a surprise, but I respect the decision he was faced with and the one he made.”

“In Lewis, we have a motivated multiple world champion, and we want to make his final year with us as successful as we can.”

On how they will replace Hamilton - “It is also an exciting opportunity for the years ahead now. We have the chance to set the future direction and stability of our driver line-up heading into the next era of F1. That will be critical in the team’s continued journey to the front, and we will take our time to get it right.”

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Mercedes