Mercedes set tongues wagging with new button on W15

Mercedes have unveiled a new button on the steering wheel of their 2024 car, the W15.

The Lewis Hamilton-led team are now two days into testing in Bahrain, having completed more than 240 laps between their lead drivers without any major incident.

With the rapidly approaching at the same circuit, testing is going to prove crucial to see whether or not Mercedes have taken a step in the right direction in comparison to the dominant Red Bull team.

Now, their social media team have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to show off a new feature on their cars - a WhatsApp button.

READ MORE: F1 Testing Results: Session CANCELLED after Leclerc disaster

Hamilton's WhatsApp notifications

What the button is for or why it is needed among the plethora of communication methods that the teams have with their drivers remains a mystery, but it appears to be some kind of paid partnership with the social networking giants.

While we can only speculate on why Lewis Hamilton decided to jump ship and head to Ferrari for the start of next season, being told he has to receive WhatsApp notifications from his boss while driving around at 220mph couldn't have been good for moral.

Radio button 🤝 @WhatsApp button pic.twitter.com/rb1S6eWDq9

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 19, 2024

Hamilton did not take part in pre-season testing until Thursday, with George Russell putting the W15 through its paces on the first day at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Mercedes fans didn't seem too happy with the apparent partnership between the two brands, taking to X to voice their discontent.

It seems every inch of a formula one car is now up for sponsorship, can I buy a spot on a screw?

— Tom Iconic (@TomiconicX) February 19, 2024

When Bono asks Lewis what tyre he wants next and Lewis says “check your WhatsApp!”

— Stefan⁴⁴ (@HPP7Strat2) February 19, 2024

READ MORE: F1 Schedule 2024: Full calendar with all you need to know about every grand prix

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