Mercedes is preparing to validate its 2025 project on track. F1 has not been kind to the Brackley-based team in the wing car era—or rather, the German squad has never managed to produce a solid and consistent car over an entire racing season. In fact, only in the third year of regulatory continuity can the results be considered acceptable. A stretched 6/10, but only out of a willingness to believe. Yes… awarding a higher score wouldn’t feel right, considering that Toto Wolff’s team had a clear objective: to win and repeat its recent dominance.
But that didn’t happen. The satisfaction has been scarce. Four wins last season are not to be dismissed, of course, but given how they were achieved, the fluctuating performances, and the final standings, Mercedes ended up as only the fourth-best team in the championship. Far too little. A complete overhaul is needed, even though this will be the last racing season before the major regulatory revolution ahead. We know that the Three-Pointed Star team is heavily focused on 2026, but at the same time, it does not want an anonymous 2025.
For this reason, the team has worked hard on the W16. One of the key areas of focus has been the mechanical setup, particularly the car’s rear end. The rear suspension mounting points have been repositioned, and at the same time, engineers have worked on improving chassis rigidity. The goal is to provide greater stability to the car and expand its operational performance window. Looking at the 2024 car, we remember how its performance was heavily dependent on operating temperatures.
Mercedes aims to broaden the working range and believes it has succeeded. The simulator is already providing promising feedback in this regard, as the team now waits for on-track validation of the work done over the past few months. The opportunity is still there—by making the right adjustments, the German outfit could achieve the performance consistency needed to fight at the top. That said, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull have certainly not been idle and will be tough opponents.
F1, Mercedes: Driver Management and Upgrades
The seven-time F1 world champion has chosen Ferrari—a move he had dreamed of since his first steps in motorsport’s top category, which, at the (sporting) age of 40, finally takes him to Via Abetone Inferiore 4. This meant that the void left by the Black King had to be filled somehow. The German team could have swapped drivers with the Scuderia and taken Sainz—a logical choice, considering Carlos’s competitiveness and Kimi Antonelli’s inexperience.
The Italian could have gained experience for a couple of years, similar to Russell’s path. But that didn’t happen, given Toto Wolff’s strong sporting admiration for Kimi. With the driver lineup now settled, it’s clear who will be leading the team. George sees himself ready for the responsibility. Wolff agrees. Everyone does, in fact. Total confidence is placed in the Briton, who has more than earned it through years of grinding at Williams and strong performances at Mercedes. The Austrian boss envisions a future world champion in Russell.
He lacks nothing—or rather, he just needs a competitive Mercedes. Additionally, he will need to assist Antonelli in his learning curve to help extract the raw talent he possesses. They will push each other forward, essentially. Kimi has character, as evidenced by his bold statement to the press that he will aim to win immediately if given the opportunity. He has a lot to learn, must minimize mistakes, and should absorb as much technical knowledge as possible from his teammate. A tough challenge, but certainly not impossible for the young Bologna-born driver.
The real question is whether George will actually be that supportive—because, in F1, cases of a driver helping and mentoring his younger teammate are rare. Especially if Kimi adapts quickly and starts showing pace within a few race weekends. Just look at Charles Leclerc’s debut with Ferrari. The then-20-year-old was expected to gain experience and learn from a four-time world champion. Yet, from his very first race in Melbourne, the team had to ask him to hold back and not challenge Vettel.
This is the scenario shaping up, and Mercedes will need to manage it carefully. The competitiveness of the W16 remains a mystery, as it does for all teams. The desire to believe is there, but only the pre-season tests in Sakhir, Bahrain, on February 26-28, will provide the first indications of what to expect. Meanwhile, Mercedes has announced a new partnership with Adidas. “A world-renowned brand, synonymous with innovation and pushing boundaries,” says Toto. Let’s hope the W16 is fast, though—because stylish uniforms won’t make the difference.
Finally, an interesting technical factor to note: Mercedes has decided to change its approach to car upgrades. The team is shifting to a more dynamic development cycle, featuring smaller but more frequent updates. The goal is to test new solutions quickly, allowing for faster corrections if needed, and avoid the struggles experienced last season. Andrew Shovlin has confirmed this strategy, confident that the new approach will be effective.
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