A request by Lewis Hamilton during the 2023 season appears to be a priority for Mercedes, as initial design details of their 2024 season F1 car, the W15, have been revealed.
According to Motorsport.com, Mercedes plans to maintain a rearward seat position in their upcoming 2024 season car. This adjustment aims to provide the seven-time world champion enhanced comfort and an improved connection with the car’s rear.
During the 2023 season, Hamilton voiced concerns about the seating position in the W14, feeling it compromised his ability to fully harness the car’s potential, as he felt “like you’re sitting on the front wheels”.
The W15 is set to break away from its predecessors, the W13 and W14, both of which had design flaws. The new model will feature a fresh chassis, innovative front and rear suspension, a new gearbox, and refined aerodynamics, including the front wing and side pods. These are expected to be the most noticeable changes in the 2024 contender.
A significant development is the anticipated introduction of a smaller gearbox. This change is believed to suit the current generation of ground-effect cars better. Moreover, modifications to the suspension are intended to rectify balance and weight distribution issues at the rear of the car.
These modifications, overseen by James Allison, who has returned as technical director, are likely to be well-received by Hamilton. He has recently shared that he is spending more time at the factory to monitor Mercedes’ development progress for the upcoming season closely.
Hamilton and George Russell hope the W15 will thrust Mercedes back into the title race and help him break his winless streak, which has been ongoing since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Source: Crash.net
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