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Mercedes will look to put a difficult pre-season behind them with the launch of their car for 2024.

The Silver Arrows have dominated headlines ahead of the new Formula 1 season following the announcement that 2024 will be Lewis Hamilton’s final year with the team.

Mercedes have combined their traditional black and silver coloursCredit: X – Mercedes-Benz AG

The superstar Brit driver has won six of his seven world championships during a celebrated 12 years with Mercedes.

But the 39-year-old – who initially signed for 2025 – will instead jump ships to race for Ferrari and replace Carlos Sainz.

Mercedes have one of the biggest tasks in F1 to find a new driver to succeed Hamilton but their immediate focus remains on the W15.

The Brackley-based outfit secured second place in the Constructors’ Championship last term while suffering their first winless season since 2011.

They’ll be hoping their new car is going to propel them back to glory and they unveiled the W15 on Wednesday morning.

Hamilton made his first public appearance since his blockbuster move to Ferrari was confirmed at the launch of the car.

Speaking about the upcoming season being his last with Mercedes, he said: “It’s obviously been emotional, it’s very surreal to be here. I came here in 2013, 11 years with the team, starting my 12th.

“It is such a privilege to work with a group of people where you see the work they’re doing over the winter. You see a car coming together at the beginning of the year.

Hamilton has made his first public appearance since his Ferrari move was announcedCredit: YouTube – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team

“This is the most exciting part of the season really. You’re seeing everyone’s launches, this is the first time I’ve seen the car come together as a whole.

“To know everything underneath the hood, which people won’t get to see, but George and I will be able to experience on the track. It’s exciting.”

When it comes to the details of Mercedes’ new car, Technical Director James Allison outlined their changes.

“A big focus has been on improving the previous car’s unpredictable rear axle, which the drivers often referred to as spiteful,” Allison said.

“We have worked on that to try and create a car that is reassuring to the drivers. At the beginning of a corner when you’re hard on the brakes and turning in, the rear needs to feel rock solid.

“And then as you get towards the apex, the car needs to feel progressively more nimble, and eager, to turn. We have been trying to build that into the car.”

Mercedes’ W15 car has been improved to help out the driversCredit: X – Mercedes-Benz AG

He continued: “We’ve also worked hard to create a less draggy car, and to add performance in the corners.

“There’s also been some housekeeping on areas in which we had room for improvement, including the DRS effect, and pit stop performance.

“We were always very good at delivering a pit stop in a repeatable time, which is the key thing for a pit stop.

“The repeatable time that we could do our pit stops in was still three to four-tenths slower than the best teams, though.

“So hopefully we will have moved in the right direction there.”

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