Hamilton 'mega-motivated' as he prepares for final season with Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton has stated that he and his team are “mega-motivated” for the 2024 F1 season in what will be his final campaign with Mercedes before his switch to Ferrari in 2025.

The Briton was speaking as the Silver Arrows’ launched their new car, the W15, on Wednesday, with the covers pulled off their challenger at Silverstone.

FIRST LOOK: Mercedes unveil their 2024 F1 car ahead of Silverstone shakedown

Given the struggles faced with its predecessors – the W13 and W14 – in 2022 and 2023, Mercedes have worked to dial out the inconsistencies of their previous challengers, as well as addressing what they have labelled as a “spiteful” rear-end.

With his blockbuster move to the Scuderia on the horizon, Hamilton is hopeful that the challenges of recent years have helped Mercedes as they look to take the fight to their rivals in 2024.

“The learnings of the past two years have helped us find our direction,” Hamilton commented. “It’s enabled us to find our north star. It’s still going to be a work in progress, but we will face whatever challenges present themselves with our heads up, with open minds, and work through diligently.”

In regards to the benefits that an improved W15 could bring, the seven-time world champion added: “If you’re not comfortable with the car, you’re not able to extract the maximum performance. A more stable, more predictable car will enable us to extract the potential from, not only the car, but ourselves as drivers.”

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The work put in by staff at Mercedes’ headquarters in Brackley and Brixworth has been praised by Hamilton, with the 39-year-old explaining that everybody in the team is feeling motivated ahead of the 2024 campaign getting underway.

“I know what this team is capable of,” Hamilton added. “I am incredibly grateful for the work of every single person in this team. Every time you’re in the factory, you can see the sheer drive and determination of everyone.

“We are all mega-motivated for the year ahead and will be giving it everything we’ve got on the journey ahead.”

Images of the W15 were revealed on Wednesday ahead of Hamilton and Russell getting behind the wheel for a shakedown at Silverstone later in the day.

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This will mark the final season in Hamilton’s long stint with Mercedes, with the Briton having joined the team back in 2013.

Hamilton won six of his seven drivers’ titles with the squad between 2014 and 2020, while the team earned eight consecutive constructors’ championships, with the last coming in 2021.

It was announced in early February that Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025 on a multi-year deal. He will partner Charles Leclerc, who gave his reaction to the news at the Scuderia’s launch event on Tuesday.