Complete calendar with 19 races
The 2015 Formula 1 season saw Mercedes-AMG Petronas extend their dominance in the hybrid era's second year, with Lewis Hamilton securing his third World Championship in commanding fashion. The British driver clinched the title with three races remaining at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, fulfilling a childhood dream of matching his idol Ayrton Senna's three championships. Hamilton's victory margin of 59 points over teammate Nico Rosberg underscored his superiority, as he delivered one of the most complete championship performances of his career.
Mercedes' stranglehold on Formula 1 tightened in 2015, as the Silver Arrows won 16 of the 19 races - matching their 2014 tally - with Hamilton claiming 10 victories and Rosberg six. The team secured 12 one-two finishes and clinched the Constructors' Championship at the Russian Grand Prix with a record-breaking 703 points, more than Ferrari and Williams' combined total. The Mercedes W06 Hybrid represented an evolution of the previous year's dominant car, maintaining the crucial power unit advantage while improving reliability and race pace. Their technical supremacy was so complete that the championship battle existed solely between the two Silver Arrows drivers.
Lewis Hamilton's performances throughout 2015 showcased his maturity and consistency, as he rarely put a foot wrong across the 19-race campaign. His victories spanned diverse challenges, from dominant displays in China and Canada to tactical masterclasses in changeable conditions at Silverstone and strategic perfection at Suzuka. Hamilton's pole position in Austin, where he sealed the championship with a thrilling victory, demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure. The title success was particularly sweet as it allowed him to eclipse Senna's tally and establish himself firmly among the sport's elite champions.
Nico Rosberg finished as runner-up for the second consecutive year, his six victories - including wins in Spain, Austria, and Singapore - proving he remained a formidable competitor. However, the German driver struggled to match Hamilton's consistency across the season, particularly in qualifying where the Briton held a significant advantage. The intra-team rivalry, while intense, lacked the acrimony that had characterized 2014, with both drivers maintaining a more professional relationship despite the fierce competition. Rosberg's frustrations were evident, but he remained committed to finding the edge needed to defeat his teammate.
Sebastian Vettel's move to Ferrari for 2015 injected new life into the Scuderia, as the four-time champion secured third in the championship and claimed three victories in Malaysia, Hungary, and Singapore. Ferrari's resurgence, while insufficient to challenge Mercedes' supremacy, represented a significant improvement over their disastrous 2014 campaign. Vettel's wins showcased both his racecraft and Ferrari's strategic acumen, with the Malaysian victory - achieved through superior tire strategy in tropical heat - particularly impressive. Teammate Kimi Raikkonen struggled to match Vettel's pace, finishing fourth in the championship without a victory.
Williams emerged as the clear third force behind Mercedes and Ferrari, with the Grove-based team securing 257 points and nine podiums through Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa. Powered by Mercedes engines, Williams showed strong qualifying pace and straight-line speed, though their chassis limitations prevented them from challenging for victories. Red Bull endured a frustrating transition year with Renault power units, managing just three podiums as Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat struggled with the RB11's lack of competitiveness. The team's frustrations with Renault's power unit performance would ultimately lead to their switch to Honda power for 2019.
McLaren's reunion with Honda proved catastrophic, as the partnership that had dominated the late 1980s and early 1990s produced one of F1's most uncompetitive packages. Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button scored just 27 points between them, enduring reliability nightmares and embarrassing performance deficits. Alonso's season began with a mysterious testing crash in Barcelona and included his infamous "GP2 engine" radio outburst in Japan, encapsulating the partnership's struggles. The season also marked a transitional period for the grid, with the sport mourning Jules Bianchi's death in July from injuries sustained at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
The 2015 season, while lacking the dramatic championship battle of previous years, demonstrated Mercedes' technical excellence and Hamilton's championship pedigree. Ferrari's revival under Vettel and new team principal Maurizio Arrivabene provided hope for future challenges to Mercedes, while the grid's technical and competitive pecking order became increasingly stratified. Hamilton's achievement in winning his third title, combined with Mercedes' record-breaking Constructors' Championship haul, established the Anglo-German partnership as one of F1's most successful collaborations and set the stage for their continued dominance in subsequent seasons.