Okay, so, let’s talk about the Mercedes W15. Man, what a journey it’s been with this beast. When I first heard about it, I thought, “Alright, let’s see what these guys have cooked up this time.” The big day was February 14th, that’s when they finally showed off the W15. It’s meant to be a big deal, a complete relaunch, aiming to take down Red Bull. I went in hoping for some real change, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The first thing I did was to dig into all the changes they talked about. They mentioned a new chassis and a new gearbox casing. Sounds simple enough, but I know it’s a huge undertaking. Then, the aerodynamic stuff. It’s always about being more efficient, you know? They’re always trying to get more downforce with less drag. I wanted to see how they managed to do that and if it really worked on the track.
I started following all the races where the W15 was put to the test. Circuit of the Americas was a big one. They brought a big upgrade package there, including a revised front wing flap, new upper wishbones, something new with the sidepod inlet, rear cooling exits, and a whole new floor geometry. I watched closely, taking notes on each race, trying to see how these changes played out in real-time. It’s not easy to notice all the little things, but I kept at it, race after race.
Then there’s the engine. For the 11th year, they’re sticking with the V6 hybrid turbo power units, 1.6-litre engines. It’s supposed to be the second to last year before they switch it up in 2026. So, I watched how the engine performed, noting any hiccups or improvements. It felt like a waiting game, seeing if this engine could still hold its own after so many years.
I also listened to what Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had to say. They mentioned the W15 is a nicer, more stable drive compared to what they had since 2022. That got me excited. They said the unstable rear end was finally tamed, which was a big part of the plan for this car. I tracked their comments after each race, comparing their feedback with what I saw on the track. It’s interesting to see if the drivers’ feelings match up with the car’s performance.
Putting all this together, I made a detailed record of everything. The changes, the races, the driver feedback, and the engine performance. It’s a lot to keep track of, but I wanted a full picture of how the W15 performed throughout the season. I wanted to see if Mercedes really could scale the mountain and catch up to Red Bull, as they put it.
In the end, I had a pretty solid understanding of the W15. It wasn’t just about reading the specs or the news. It was about actually following the car’s journey, seeing it in action, and understanding what worked and what didn’t. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m glad I took the time to really get to know the Mercedes W15.
