Mercedes unveils its W16 just before testing in Bahrain
A few hours after Aston Martin, Mercedes unveiled its new single-seater. The German team is certainly anticipating a unique season. For the first time since 2013, they will not be able to rely on Lewis Hamilton, who has moved to Ferrari.
Renewal at Mercedes in 2025. After 12 years of collaboration with Lewis Hamilton, during which the team won 8 constructors’ titles and 7 drivers’ titles, the German team had to change course this year. Besides the drivers, a reworked car was unveiled yesterday with the first official images that were released. It should be noted that this is indeed the car for this season. Like all other teams, Mercedes had revealed its livery last Tuesday at the F1 75 Live ceremony held at the O2 Arena in London, but using an older car from the brand.
A better balance sought by Mercedes
Among the changes made, there is a new cut in the sidepods and a reworked nose. Additionally, it is equipped with a new front suspension. A meticulous effort to offer more stability to the single-seater. In 2024, the team suffered a lot from a lack of understanding of the car, with performances varying from one Grand Prix to another without the team really knowing why (a double podium at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and then only 4th and 12th in the following race in Qatar). Toto Wolff’s team hopes that the work at the factory has been effective, as they have been going through a difficult period for three years since the return of ground-effect cars. The Austrian explained that we are all focused on fighting more regularly for victories.
According to James Allison, technical director of Mercedes, « The car is in a more mature phase. Our priority has been to correct its slight reluctance to pivot well in slow corners, as well as the imbalance between tire temperatures, which made it inconsistent from one session to another. » The German team therefore seems confident that they have solved last year’s problems, which prevented them from competing regularly against McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull (9 podiums for the team, including four victories). Ultimately finishing fourth in the constructors’ championship, more than 100 units behind third-place Red Bull, Mercedes wants to find consistency this season.
Young drivers to give Mercedes a new lease of life
For this, she can count on George Russell. The Briton will start his fourth season with the German team. Now in a team leader position, the former Williams driver intends to continue his rise after a 2024 season where, despite the difficulties of his car, he showed he has what it takes to fight at the front. While there is no doubt about his performance, questions arise about his new teammate Kimi Antonelli: is the Italian ready for F1, especially in a team like Mercedes?
If some are wondering, his recent results prove him right. Champion of Italian and German Formula 4 in 2022, champion of Freca in 2023, the Italian also had a convincing season in F2 last season while discovering this championship. A new line-up for new ambitions. Russell explained to Autosport that this year represents a significant change. Mercedes worked hard over the winter and hopes it will pay off this season.
« We have probably been much more disciplined with every change we’ve made, and more rigorous than ever in the use of the simulator, in order to avoid falling into a new trap. So far, it’s a reasonable advance. The season looks interesting with how teams will allocate their resources between 2025 and 2026 » said the latest winner in Las Vegas.
Mercedes thus becomes the seventh team to reveal its car. Only Red Bull, Alpine, and Sauber have yet to unveil their new cars. In the meantime, the Silver Arrows will be on the Bahrain track this Tuesday for a filming day, before officially hitting the track tomorrow for the start of winter testing.
