Mercedes has revealed the key changes behind Lewis Hamilton’s impressive turnaround for the 2024 Formula One season. After a difficult start with the revamped W15 car, which showed inconsistencies and unpredictability, the team has found its footing, leading to significant improvements in performance.

One notable change was Mercedes’ decision to remove the updated floor from the car during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend and revert to a previous specification floor. This strategic move was made after experiencing problems with the updated floor, particularly in the high-speed corners at Spa-Francorchamps.

Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director, confirmed the plan to use the new floor at Zandvoort.

“We are planning to do that now,” Shovlin said. Explaining the decision, he added: “We basically took the car back to Silverstone spec on Friday night. We did that because we had a good race at Silverstone and Spa and Silverstone are not dramatically different circuits in terms of the corner speed range you’re dealing with.”

Shovlin noted that the problems encountered at Spa were primarily due to the way the car was driven, rather than the updates themselves.

Going back to the Silverstone set-up solved the balance and bounce issues, allowing the team to gather data and understand the root cause. Confident in their findings, Mercedes plan to reintroduce the updated floor at Zandvoort.

 

 

 

Early struggles with the W15

At the beginning of the season, Mercedes struggled with the new W15 car, which both drivers found difficult to handle in several sessions. The car’s unpredictability particularly affected Hamilton, who struggled to match the consistency of his team-mate George Russell in single lap conditions.

In the early stages, Russell often outpaced the seven-time world champion, causing concern within the team.

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Hamilton’s resurgence

The tide began to turn recently, with Hamilton taking victories at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, in stark contrast to his form earlier in the season. According to Shovlin, a key factor in this resurgence has been the team’s ability to start each race weekend with a better baseline set-up.

Shovlin told the media, including Motorsport Week in Belgium, that one of the key improvements has been the team’s ability to land the set-up effectively in the first practice session (FP1).

This solid foundation allowed the team to build and fine-tune the car’s performance throughout the weekend, in stark contrast to previous races where minor changes could upset the entire balance of the car.

 

 

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The role of improved baseline set-up

“Earlier in the year we would make relatively small changes and suddenly the whole balance of the car would go and we would really struggle,” said Shovlin. Improving the car’s set-up from the outset has been instrumental in Hamilton’s recent success.

Shovlin admitted that earlier in the season, Hamilton found the car harder to set up than Russell, but recent improvements have benefited both drivers.

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Drivers working together

A key element of Mercedes’ strategy has been the collaboration between Hamilton and Russell. Both drivers have been willing to experiment with different car set-ups in the early rounds to unlock the potential of the W15. Shovlin credited their teamwork and adaptability for the team’s overall progress.

“There is a certain style of driving that suits these tyres,” said Shovlin. He emphasised that the riders are now closer in their set-up preferences, making it easier to find a set-up that works well for both. Studying each other’s approaches between sessions has been crucial in identifying performance gains.

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Teamwork and experimental set-ups

Throughout the year, Hamilton and Russell have worked closely together, each understanding the need to experiment with setups and driving styles to improve their overall performance. Shovlin pointed out that neither driver was happy with their early-season results, which led them to support each other in exploring different strategies.

“Neither of them wanted to finish where we were,” said Shovlin. Their willingness to try different set-ups and share their knowledge has helped the team progress. This collaborative approach is an example of how a team of two skilled riders can work together to achieve collective success.

 

 

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The impact of Angela Cullen’s departure

Hamilton’s early-season struggles were exacerbated by the departure of his long-time physiotherapist and performance coach, Angela Cullen. Cullen, who joined Hamilton in 2015, had played a key role in his career and contributed to many of his championship wins. Her departure marks a notable change in Hamilton’s support system.

Cullen described her tenure in F1 as a “huge learning curve”, having started her motorsport career directly at the pinnacle of the sport. Initially part of Team GB’s athletics team, she moved into F1 as Hamilton’s physio and performance coach, working with him through most of his title-winning years.

Hamilton once praised Cullen as “one of the greatest things that’s happened to me in my life”, highlighting her profound influence on his career. After leaving F1, Cullen briefly retired from motorsport but was soon drawn back to IndyCar with fellow New Zealander Marcus Armstrong.

Reflecting on her transition, Cullen noted the demanding nature of her initial foray into motorsport.

“I came into motorsport and I went straight into Formula One,” she said in an interview on IndyCar’s official YouTube channel. Despite the challenges, her impact on Hamilton’s career was undeniable, and her absence this season may have contributed to his initial decline.

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Looking ahead

As the season progresses, Mercedes will be looking to build on this new-found momentum. Improvements to the W15’s basic set-up and the drivers’ collaborative efforts have positioned the team for a stronger performance in the remaining races. 

Mercedes’ ability to refine the car set-up process and the drivers’ collaborative approach have been crucial to Hamilton’s turnaround this season. By continuing to focus on these aspects, the team hopes to maintain its competitive edge and secure more victories in the 2024 Formula One Championship.

The impact of Cullen’s departure underlines the importance of a strong support system, a factor that Mercedes will undoubtedly consider in the future.

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