Hamilton's HUGE W15 Performance Test UPDATE! | F1 

I don’t think his move has anything to do with the W15. It’s more about Mercedes decisions in terms of contract decisions and future. It looks embarrassing for Mercedes when the face of their team is a Ferrari ambassador.

After Mercedes inability to quickly solve the bouncing issues last year it highlighted a total lack of understanding of the aero management. Technically they have stagnated in the last 3 years.So Hamilton cannot wait forever so he took the sensible option and moved on. I applaud him.

Hamilton left Mercedes because they didn't engineer a car and relied on "simulator" to decide the direction in where they take the car. Hamilton said this is the wrong approach 3 years ago and has said it since every year but Mercedes chose to ignore his input and proceed in the same direction again with the W15. Not listening to the driver is why Hamilton elected to move to Ferrari. A simulator can't and doesn't emulated everything that can happen to a car on track in the real world, just not enough computing power to even get close (I'm a software engineer and I know the physics involved and billions of parameters). Hamilton had no choice, either retire or find another top team. I think Toto will get be asked to step down, especially now that the W15 has been tested on track and it's not performing to expectations with many of the same issues as the W14.

Don't forget how merc treated him. Not a single person from the team was present for podium celebrations where Lewis celebrated alone infact mclaren & ferrari teams congratulated him. & merc did that not once but twice. & both times it was George who crashed out on his own mistake. That alone shows you what merc was doing I don't know how people simply missed that.

my initial thought was he did that sim session a couple weeks ago, didnt like what he saw, and put together a hasty deal with Ferrari. But, after hearing some of the contract details such as the long term stuff, It had to be in the works for a while.

just to correct you, Hamilton's 8th title was stolen in AD 2021, most people in the world know that, even despite numerous evidence, no one from the media dares to say it, which leads to the conclusion that corruption and bribery have overcome the sportsmanship, Mercedes' statement that they will return the title on the track, so they could simply break the Budget Cost cap rule and make a monster rocket car, win the title and pay the FIA fine and keep the title, as Red Bull did, which became the most corrupt team in the history of F1 after 2021,Vetel is de facto and de jure the only legitimate champion of Red Bull, Max everything he achieved until the end of the 2020 season can be said to be deserved and fair, however from 2021 until now it is not because it is illegal due to the violation of the Budget Cost cap 2021 rules

You clearly didn't do any research. Lewis is leaving Mercedes because he wanted a 3 year deal, plus he wanted them to make him an ambassador for Mercedes after he's retired. He didn't get a 3 year contract and they denied him a chance to become an Ambassador for Mercedes. This lead to him going to Ferrari, because Ferrari offered him a long term contract plus an Ambassador role after he's retired. Next time, get your facts straight.

100M a year at Ferrari. Lewis and Ferrari going to make history. What an earthquake the goat is causing. Love it!!🎉🎉🎉

Did he or not test the W15 before the Ferrari contract. What does he exactly think. Ofcourse yes, the Ferrari deal would shed light. But we need solid stats. I believe 2006 is at play here. The W15 is going to be good.

Merc is on a downwards spiral as red bull will when Horner and Newey go

You are as aware as I am what kind of man Lewis is. I don’t believe he would pass on information about the merc to anyone.

His move has nothing to do with the w15 , before the budget cap , Hamilton would point and the engineers would change a part accordingly to what he wants , now in f1 with the budget it makes it very difficult for teams to drop everything and change a part that “Lewis wants”. With engineers pay salaries also part of the budget this plays a big factor in the game.

The Ferrari deal was signed before the test. It's more to do the long term contract decisions that Mercedes made.

End of the day, money is the real driving force...period

Song name? It's not Neutrin05 - Home.

When you look at the lack of support in recent years, then why would they NOT give Lewis Hamilton - the face of F1, a 3-year deal with an ambassadorship? Why would he stay? Unappreciated. Whatever happens, he had to go for his own peace of mind.

Similar to guys like Jordan and Tiger, sometimes the talent becomes bigger than the sport and they become a global brand, which gives the sport reach in areas never thought possible. If hamilton can deliver a championship to either merc or Ferrari in his last few years, it will be the stuff of legend.

Titanic "you jump, I jump" 😛

The most fundamental aspect of the car is the seating position, happy driver happy car. The seating position was built around George, Lewis is wasting his time in a team making him do the donkey work but not building a car around him. Lewis has spent 2 seasons pushing a sidepodless concept car that needed abandoning at preseason testing 2022, and with a seating position out of place, he owes Mercedes nothing. If Lewis weren't driving at Mercedes between 2017-2019 Vettel would have won. 2021 Max would have won without the Fia's help. This is business a racing career is clearly short.

Two things: FERRARI going in the right direction - mercs not! And two, mercs prioritizing the obvious rookie driver left Lewis exposed. Said rookie could not/did not make the most of the opportunity given to him. Lewis still came out on top because of the obvious rookie mistakes made by the obvious rookie driver... Comes a point when enough is enough. Toto's plan did not work! Stuff this I'm off - all the best with your rookie driver, I'm going to Farrari who are willing to offer me more.

Toto didn’t have his back anymore! Anybody would walk away it’s like a friend that doesn’t show they truly appreciate you and you start to question 🙋🏼‍♂️ everything = Goodbye 👋

Under Toto's stewardship, the team, engineers, and car have significantly declined. They still cant get the pit crew speed, car pace, aero package together, while all the other teams have caught them McClaren, Ferrari, Astor Martin. Time to move on to brighter and Red-er pastures.

MB wouldn't offer Ham an ambassadorship 🧐 He brought them the most Chips they ever had, and his behavior and philanthropy has been exemplary, you would move o to.

This is utter tosh, what difference does the 2024-25 car make to him leaving. It’s 2026 that is critical to his plans. Year two of his contract 2025 with Mercedes was an optional year either Mercedes or Hamilton could end it. The fact that Mercedes wouldn’t give him a two year deal spoke volumes about their confidence in his future with them. So if the deal with Ferrari is a fixed term then he’d be nuts not to grab it. Unless Mercedes have developed a miracle car for 2024 it’s not going to win a championship so the 2025 car is nothing to do with him as he had to trigger the year 2 release before 2025. Mercedes let him see the writing on the wall and he didn’t like it, they got what they deserved and now they’ll have to live with it as Hamilton will too.

This definitely started from Dieter Zetsche’s retirement, AD21, and treatment there after…. LH44 has been around too long and can read the F1 tea leaves.. will be interesting to see how Toto sails through this but there’s been a lot of brain bleed with more engineers to follow Sir Lewis.

I posted this on another video, but here we go again... I strongly suspect that Ferrari offered Hamilton a deal in early 2023. He said I'll think about it and wanted to wait and see where the updates to the 2023 car would go and give Mercedes a chance to see if they can get to grips with these new technical regulations. He signed his new deal with Mercedes. My suspicions for the delays in signing were that the Mercedes board didn't want to a) pay Hamilton what he is worth b) go with his ambassador request (this was apparently rejected by the Mercedes board) and c) see where the 2024 car was going to be. He also was adamant on the 1+1 clause in his contract, which Mercedes didn't want to accept. He put the ultimatum to them - no clause, no contract at all. There's no doubt in my mind that as soon as Hamilton tried the W15 in the sim, he thought to himself "this is fucked, we aren't gonna go anywhere in 2024". And given that the Ferrari deal was still on the table, he was able to exercise is escape clause and sign to Ferrari. I also suspect that Hamilton has a grudge now with Mercedes and probably Toto, as he feels betrayed by the vote of no confidence to pay him what he is worth and the rejection of his ambassador role etc. So, he knows that leaving Mercedes will fuck the Mercedes AMG team's worth and damage its investment opportunities and will also fuck over Toto - harder to retire when the team loses a fuck load of its worth due its star leaving. Of course, Mercedes' performance has been shit for 2022/23, and the talk of a mole at FIA working for Mercedes hasn't helped their reputation too imho. So, investors may be hard to come in the coming years, especially if the 2024 car is a dud (which means a highly likely chance that the 2025 will also be a dud). And since the, AFAIK, the 2026 tech rules just simply revolve around the new PU designs, if Mercedes can't get the ground force and aero working well in 24/25, they have no hope in hell imho in 2026. So, unless they get a LOT more BHP for 2026 (unlikely, the FIA won't let that happen again like in 2014), they are in the shit. Long term. This is all just conjecture btw.

According to Toto Wolf, Lewis did NOT drive the simulator w15 tull several days after telling Wolf he was leaving for Ferrari. Again, this is according to Toto.

This ignores the clause in his contract that he can't take any one with him

$446 million all up. This doesn't come overnight. The deal would have been know for some time for sure. So no I don't think the car has nothing to do with Hamilton leaving. $446 million it is pure business deal. But what do we know about the car? Well we know that Mercedes has lost the engine advantage. They are about on bar with Ferrari and RB on power. But were lacking on down force and ground effect. With the new car this seems to have been fixed. Then there is the fact that Allison is the leader of the team. As I pointed out I believe the Hamilton's leaving has been known for a long time. Car has had big change for the front end making it more of a front end car and for a very different driving style. So the design is not for Hamilton in the first place. Nor can I see Russell in this car as the beneficiary. And then there is the timing of the announcement 3 or so weeks before Testing that starts February 21st. For the unseen eye just enough to get someone else in the car and give Hamilton 2024 sabbatical. So if we expect someone else in the car for 2024 season I think we need to look some history. In my opinion Allison had his brilliance on display the best on 2012/2013 Lotus only to be destroyed by Ferrari braking the pairing with Raikkonen so that Alonso/Santander can succeed. There was lot in stake for example +$4 billion just on Spanish economy alone. The pair Allison and Raikkonen was on the way. I think some of you might already know where this is going. I don't think it is a coincidence that as soon as Allison is calling the shots we see a car taylor made for Kimi. You build a car for Kimi you are getting +1 second advantage but while it might give a good boost for Mercedes and Kimi it might be poison to Hamilton and Russell. Time will tell if Russell can handle a car that has a strong front end and steered with loose rear end. It is the faster way to do a lap but needs very fast hands and good feel for the car. So why Raikkonen? Because he was so good with B team like Lotus and challenged the title. Allison and Kimi together was magic and this without funds. Even if Raikkonen is slower by 0.5 seconds today he would have gained at least that much in experience. Also as it looks like team is loosing lot of the key personnel and leadership so direction is needed with wast knowledge. I see Raikkonen the best chance for title fight 2024. Also Raikkonen is very marketable and has huge following. Also his family wife Minttu and their kids are already in the social media with big following. I see this a huge untapped opportunity also. Then there is 2026 with rule changes. Again this might play right on Kimi's hands as the cars are lot more nibble at 2026 and might be hard to handle for the current drivers. But Kimi is getting close to the swansong so if he is still driving my hat off.

Michael Schumacher went from ferrari to mercedes. Hamilton went from Mercedes to Ferrari.

I think greed in money is coming to it I think there ought to be a cap on everything spending including wages including cars

Ego & Money?

This is a misleading article. It’s been reported consistently that Lewis only drove the car in the sim AFTER confirming that he was leaving.

He's not gonna get his 8th. Lets go brandon

THEY LISTENED TO RUSSELL NOT TO LEWIS FOR BOTH W13 AND W14 BUT IT WAS LEWIS THAT MADE IT WORK FOR HIM

Would be cool if Alonso joins merc in 2025.

The establishment wanted Russell as No1, Sorted.. LH did what was right for his peace of mind and career.

I think Hamilton saw the handwriting on the wall. Mercedes appears to have made tactical error in the direction they took their development and it looks like it may take more than just a few seasons to recover. His best years are not a few years from now and he's very much in the moment.

Nothing to do with the car and everything to do with him not getting his way on an outlandish ambassador contract that Mercedes was simply not willing to entertain, and justifiably so. Ferrari will regret their choice and pay him to stop pontificating his gospel in years to come.

I do t like his decision to move however a team is a strong as it’s weakest link. MB saying drivers input are important but may not necessarily be implemented so then, how can the team be successful by not thinking of the driver opinion. He’s in the car, he knows what the car can do and what to expect at critical times. Sadly the F1 team is causing drivers to rethink how a race is won. So many regulations and bias against some drivers in favour of others. I await the outcome of this season and how this car operates

It's all speculation about the W15 and Ferrari - I'll wait and see for myself in about two weeks. A long term contract and money caught Hamilton's eyes 🤑 ... that's a fact.

Do you really think if the 2024 merc had a chance of winning a title that he’d opt out of the 2025 year in that same regulation car preemptively? I’m gonna say no.

I'm sorry, what's controversial about Hamilton's move to Ferrari?

Hamilton wanted to end his career racing for Ferrari he knows he would have a better chance at Ferrari then he would have if he stayed at Mercedes… the team wouldn’t listen to him about the side pods and which direction he thinks the car should be. If the team he is on won’t listen to him and have to keep driving a bouncy car each year. Of course he wants to go to a team that has beaten RedBull. Mercedes won’t be that team they used to be they missed the mark two years in a row and it could be a third year of a headache season

Mercedes does not listen to the drivers ...enough said

I believe the Sim of the w15 had a small role in going with the deal LH and Ferrari had already made prior . W15 is built base on info from the Sim just like the w14. The 2025 car will be just a second generation w15 before the regulation changes in 2026 I believe? He knew his time is now to make a change or to stay in the same rut Mercedes had been in. He wants to win and wants the 8th. Mercedes building off Sim data and not the opinions and ideas of a 7 time is a huge mistake and the dagger in Mercedes.

Quote of this from Hamilton? I don’t doubt he’s tested it in the sims but as far as the public is concerned, he hasn’t said anything about it. Him leaving has more to do with Mercedes not fulfilling Hamilton’s ask for a longer contract. Instead he was given a short contract and told no on being ambassador. Huge mistakes.

Leclerc would better get bigger mirrors ...

It’s smart how ai is being used in these videos, and also content found on the internet. It does take effort, good job!

Let me ask you this: why did Cristiano Ronaldo at 39 moved to play Al-Nassr FC? Was it for the challenge? Was it for the exposure? Don't think so.

Sees problems from driving a “Simulator”??? Isn’t that like saying he doesn’t like the way his helmet fits before trying it on?

I think he’s not getting any younger he’s still in a strong position right now, so it was time for him to drive a Ferrari, which he’s always wanted to do ultimately .And It comes with the Italian glamour and a cool company car👍😊

I feel like Ferrari’s biggest issue isnt the car but their strategy team. They have made consistently bad calls to the point where their drivers have gone rogue and decided things on their own in order to win races. From pit-stop fumbles to issuing crazy team orders. This is a hurdle that Ferrari needs to resolve because while their car can be competitive if you have dumb people putting out dumb strategies you may as well be slow.

watt does a simulator have to do with actually driving the car ?

Hamilton's racing instincts..

Because they are giving him a 100 mil a year.

All of this complete speculation, and currently, there is no evidence to show that this is the case. It's all quite plausible that he sees potential in this car, goes for an 8th (9th 😉) title, and then end his career at Ferrari as he seemingly always intended to try and do.

if merc personal wants to come with hamilton they have to leave now already or they wont make it in time because of gardening leave

He likely has no trust in Mercedes being competitive in 2024 nor 2025 and is taking a gamble Ferrari is the team to beat in 2026 with the new rules and engines. He could take his 8th on the luck his gamble works out. If not, he had 2 years of fun and 100+ million in the bank while doing so

It makes sense to rebuild around a younger Russell for the long haul as opposed to Hamilton for the short haul, Hamilton teaming up with Ferrari to bump up his retirement funds- case closed

They offered him 1 year with option to extend 😅😅 disgrace its worth driving ur dream car n retire

I wish Mercedes would have reached a common level with Lewis to work out things but I don’t think Mercedes is willing to continue with Lewis, I wish him luck for striving for his eight championship title, maybe Mercedes has not provided him with the right racing car this year again because they have been disappointing him with a reliable racing car so he should try his luck with his transfer

Why are you completely ignoring the truth?🤣 he didn’t start testing till Friday, the news broke on Wednesday

Something made him change his mind. Mercedes is behind by two years. Even if they have a better car than last year this may not be enough for a win. They need a miracle to hit it spot on. The simulator was and always has been the problem and they don’t trust it.

Might have, should have, could have...Clickbait based on wide assumptions. Just let the pro's talk F1 and see what they have to say. And that sounds a lot more plausible than this.

I've always been a Lewis fan. Whatever he decided makes sense. I Considering how many years Lewis has been with Mercedes I think they're selfish to have not given him the contract he wanted..

He couldn't get any pole positions, which greatly helps with the start position on track. He must have known this, so best move to Ferrari, who can get pole position.

Everything is smoke and speculation....We will probably know for real years after retirement...

Hamilton knew the car sucked, so staying simply ment time and opportunity lost. Also with Carlos signs questionable performance who knows who Ferrari could've been targeting, a reboot with a new young driver, clean sheet fresh start for a young hopefull or get a veteran proven champion, though at the end of his career the payoff for success is measured in the position of that photo opt. you see if lewis wins that eigth then the spoils of that achievement is shared forever in the anoles of history with the team and uniform it was accomplished in. so despite his success primarily in the camp of Mercedes, when it comes to an eight all conquering best of the best of the best title, who's colors would share in that glory? Mercedes has lost that opportunity of their mutual success. Ferrari would consider an ever greater victory simply by measure of association. But its not withstanding the fact that he also know that making the jump to Ferrari also bode great odds against him being successful their as well. After all what no one is mentioning are all the past F! champions who jumped to Ferrari in hopes of great success only to see the exact opposite. Burned times and times again for every past champion driver. Odds of ferrari success are mounted against lewis BUT!!! their is a glimmer of hope in the odds as well, because Ferrari has failed so many times with past drivers that theirs a small chance they very well may get it right for once with lewis.

LH will win 8th championship with w15. That is why he move to Ferrari before he retired to fullfill his dream driving Ferrari.

6 time WC and all handed to him 😊

If he is not able 2 win Anthony would Championship with Mercedes or ferrari then go for the biggest payday, I think that makes more sense. Good luck lewis With the eighth would Championships!

Mercedes made endless poor strategy calls, costing both drivers, they pointed them out over the last two years, often about tyres, every commentator said about it.

First, a simulator is just THAT . . . a SIMULATION. I highly doubt a VERY experienced winning F1 driver like Lewis would base a decision to go to another contending team based on a simulation.

Someone offers you all the things plus a higher salary that your incumbent employer failed to agree to, what ya gonna do? I'm not a fan of discussing a cars performance until it hits the track. I'm also reminded that this car is brand new, with it's full potential unlikely to be realised until the European leg of the calendar, so this is unlikely speculation at this time.

Personally, Lewis Hamilton being bigger than Mercedes was a huge business problem. Look at every sports team that had a massively influential player… they’ve become a ghost of themselves. Additionally, Lewis’ performance has dropped, and it’s not just the car at times. Last season, George finished in the top 5 in most of the races, sometimes miles ahead. Mercedes is grateful to Lewis, we all know that. Regardless , its a separate legal entity. They made a great car that made someone talented a 7 time world champion. So why can definitely do it again

Ferrari must be quite desperate to sign an expensive almost elderly 2e hand WC and a weak midfield driver nowadays ..🐰

He tested the car after he signed the contract with ferrari get your facts straight.

I mean he still driving for Mercedes this year.

Imo he will fail at Ferari

Greed for more money and can’t take a getting beat😢

Hamilton left because he plans on retiring soon and didn’t want to retire without driving for Ferrari which was his boyhood dream.

OPERATION HAMILTON. Just gonna leave that there.

It did sound a bit quiet...I guess the other sarcastic rb fans mouths n fingers are full of Chucky Cheese

He obviously believes that in 2025 or 2026 the Ferrari will be the best car on the grid and his best hope of another championship. Will he still be competitive as a driver after 2026? His racing years are limited, and he has only thing in sight, which is a personal goal. Nothing wrong with that, but he is a mercenary first and foremost. Even if he wins an 8th championship, that does not make him the best ever driver! The best driver was the one who never lost to their team-mate in the same car!

Sir Lewis made the move to win. To shut all the haters traps. Mercedes cannot beat the Red bull only the Ferrari can. The fact he has not been winning has nothing to do with his driving ability the Mercedes is to slow and he did not feel comfortable with his seating position in the car. Mercedes made Max look very good for the past 2 years. I wonder why, why why why.

Imagine sir lewis gets his 9th title this year 😅 that would be something to write home about

Look from the Histories... the designs for past years... the datas..... and they should know whats works or not... but what happen.... what a failure or plan to failed to prevent LH won the championship again...

Mercedes died with Niki lauda Toto is just as too cocky even if he paints a good picture, Lewis has just been diplomatic and realized this dude is running a sports science game like a private equity transaction F1 needs bad images of managers like Toto and Horner gone they are both so ugly time Lewis Sebastian and many others start becoming principles

Hamilton wrecked the remainder of his career since 2021 by first continuing as a driver and 2nd making this move to Ferrari. With these choices he lost the legendary status he had till the end of 2021. He's just been above average at best with 0 wins in 2 seasons to show for it. Like he's ever going to be able to compete vs Charles who had his mark on the development for this car for 3 seasons before Lewis will get his hands to it. And trust me if I say Leclerc will do everything he can this year to set the development to his liking. With Carlos leaving anyway nothing will stand in his way. It's all over for Hamilton and his career is dying like a candle. I think Hamilton sees it himself and just wants to do Ferrari to have been at Ferrari before he can happily retire. Shame.

lmfao bro just making shit up, talking about hamilton admitted to testing w15 before signing the ferrari contract. Even if he techinally went into work to do testing, has NOTHING to do with contract signing and simply him forfilling his damn job as a merc driver prepping for 2024season. Dont be tht guy with the false narrtive click bait b.s plz

Im hoping ferarri came to him and said we have nailed the 2026 engine and want to win a championship

Mercedes are not in a place to give him a title until 26. They have mutually agreed he can tick his boy hood dream box until then. He will be back in 2026!

Why did he switch to Ferrari? GREED !!!!

I am sure Merc has all covered for the W15

I hate when these types of videos create narratives that are not there! Could it be that this years W15 is a rocket ship and Hamilton wants to end his tenue with Mercedes on the highest of highs? This is simply down to the length of contract that was on offer to Hamilton - he wanted a multi year deal, and Merc were only willing to offer a 1+1. He had a boyhood dream of driving for Ferrari, and the opportunity came! Nothing more nothing less! I find some of these videos to be nothing more than clickbait!

Hes ready to retire and wants to play with a ferrari before his time comes. Buuuuut charles is gona wipe the floor with him as he did seb.

Sadly this video is BS.. hopefully the next one will be better again

W15..... looks like a fish, moves like a fish. Steers like a cow? (Douglas Adams HHGTTG)

Toto must go, he lost his leadership and his drivers are bailing. Toto more interested in teaching than being a team leader. Corporate Mercedes do your job and sack Toto now.