Mercedes’ W13: why the most criticized ground effect car is paradoxically their best. Mercedes’ W13, despite its reputation as a disastrous ground effect car, was paradoxically the team’s most competitive in the era.

Even four years of intensive development have not been enough for Mercedes, which is set to conclude the ground effect era with an extremely challenging record. The 2025 Formula 1 season represents yet another chapter in the ground effect era in which the Brackley-based team has struggled to get its car setup right. The latest iteration, the W16, was a further update of a project that has never fully found stability since 2022. Despite comprehensive overhauls—ranging from chassis and suspension to aerodynamics—the fundamental setup issues have persisted. The challenges have been so persistent that the widely criticized and historically labeled “disastrous” W13 could paradoxically be considered the best Mercedes car of this regulatory cycle.

When thinking back to the 2022 Mercedes, many fans and experts immediately recall the moment of its launch, which left the entire paddock in awe. Brackley’s first ground effect car was expected, based on early data, to dominate the competition and continue the team’s supremacy that began in 2014. The W13 is remembered for its extreme design, particularly the near-total absence of sidepods, in stark contrast to Ferrari’s conceptually opposite car. However, it was the Scuderia of Maranello that found the winning formula, starting the season as favorites, while Mercedes embarked on a nightmare that would extend for years. The W13 suffered in virtually every area, with the root cause being overly extreme aerodynamics. The violent porpoising at high speeds, which severely affected the car throughout the season, remains one of the most memorable challenges of that era.

The 2022 Mercedes was not the worst of the ground effect era
Despite securing a victory in Brazil, the 2022 season is often remembered as one of the team’s toughest campaigns. Yet, when looking at the statistics, a more nuanced story emerges. Following the W13, Mercedes continuously sought to revive the project, but beyond occasional flashes of competitiveness, the team struggled in the subsequent seasons, reaching 2025 still facing major difficulties.

This is where the paradox becomes clear: the W13 of 2022, despite its reputation as a disastrous car, has so far been the most competitive Mercedes of the current technical cycle. That year, the team averaged 23.41 points per Grand Prix and achieved 17 podiums. In 2023, the average dropped to 18.59 points with only 8 podiums, while in 2024, there was a slight recovery to 19.5 points and 9 podiums.

The 2025 season is not yet over and has reached its midpoint, but the current average stands at just 16.86 points per Grand Prix with 7 podiums secured. While the season is still ongoing, the struggles seen in recent races do not inspire much optimism, especially as the car will no longer receive upgrades and the team’s focus has already shifted to the 2026 campaign.

These statistics are far from encouraging and underscore how the ground effect era has been a true ordeal for Mercedes. The team now looks to 2026 with the hope of returning to consistent championship contention, aiming to learn from past challenges and reestablish its position at the top of the Formula 1 grid.