Mercedes F1 team tackles one of Hamilton’s long-standing concerns
The Curious Case of Hamilton’s Seating Position in the 2023 Mercedes W15 F1 Car
As the F1 season unfolds, a peculiar situation has arisen surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s seating arrangement in the new Mercedes W15. Last year, Hamilton expressed dissatisfaction with his proximity to the front wheels, citing it as a significant challenge affecting his performance.
In an intriguing twist, early insights into the 2023 Mercedes W15 reveal that Mercedes has heeded Hamilton’s concerns and made substantial adjustments to address this issue. The cockpit has been shifted back by up to 100mm compared to its predecessor, requiring redesigns across various components while maintaining optimal wheelbase dimensions.
Notably, Mercedes’ transition from a zeropod design to a downwash style solution facilitated this change by eliminating the need for deep chassis recesses. This alteration enabled a broader fuel tank distribution along the chassis span while simultaneously shortening it.
Furthermore, advancements such as relocating upper SIS elements and adopting push-rod rear suspension have contributed to an overall transformation in how key components are integrated within the car structure. These modifications align with earlier enhancements aimed at enhancing vehicle stability and handling.
“Lewis’s way of expressing that is in talking about his seating position… our focus has been on making it less horrid.” – James Allison (Mercedes Technical Director)
“If we could fix that instability properly… get rid of the problem, not optimize his seating position…” – James Allison