Mercedes are considered to be one of the dark horse candidates for the Formula 1 title in 2025 and pre-season testing showed positive signs.
After trading Lewis Hamilton for young Kimi Antonelli over the winter, the German manufacturer has lost a lot of experience behind the wheel.
Mercedes may be onto a winner though, as their new Italian driver looked quick and full of confidence in Bahrain. He could be the investment in the future that they needed.
If they can develop their car in a positive direction, not only could they be drivers’ championship contenders, but they will also take some excellent momentum into the 2026 F1 regulations.
Antonelli still needs to understand Pirelli’s tyres ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. The longer it takes, the bigger the gap teammate George Russell will be able to create.
Mercedes has fixed an area Hamilton complained about for 2025 and it should help give their drivers an advantage in the fight for better results.
Bradley Lord expects Mercedes ‘surprise’ in 2025 after F1 testing
Mercedes were able to win four races in 2024 despite dealing with an inconsistent W15 car which struggled to perform in hotter conditions.
The weather in Bahrain for pre-season testing was slightly cooler than usual, but they still appeared to cope better than their rivals in the desert.
Russell already regrets a comment on Mercedes’ car after indicating that he could tell whether his car was going to be good or not within three laps. He knows it takes longer than that.
READ MORE: What Alex Brundle spotted Kimi Antonelli doing during F1 pre-season that shows his ‘confidence’ in Mercedes’ 2025 car
When approached by Ted Kravitz after the conclusion of testing, Mercedes chief Bradley Lord gave his view on where the team lies on pace.
“Somewhere behind McLaren, not sure where,” he said. “Let’s say third and then we might have a nice surprise.”
Toto Wolff shares ‘unusual’ feeling after Mercedes’ 2025 F1 car hit the track
2025 marks the first time since they began their journey in Formula 1 again in 2010, that they do not have a seven-time champion within their ranks.
With Hamilton now gone, they must focus their efforts on making Antonelli the next biggest thing. At the age of 18, he has plenty of raw potential to develop.
READ MORE: Mercedes exploit Ferrari secrets with new innovations for 2025 car revealed at F1 Testing
Team boss Toto Wolff admitted Mercedes’ first laps without Hamilton were ‘unusual’ after the car hit the track in Bahrain.
They’re going to have to get used to the idea of competing against him now that he’s in a Ferrari car that will inevitably be near them on track for much of the season.
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