Mercedes will hope the W16 will be a competitive machine in 2025. The Brackley-based outfit have struggled for consistency in the ground-effect era.
After dominating the turbo-hybrid era with Lewis Hamilton, the Silver Arrows found it difficult to adapt to the new era of regulations in 2022.
Since that season, Mercedes have won just five races. Before 2024, George Russell’s maiden F1 win in Sao Paulo was their only victory in the ground effect era.
The Silver Arrows took a step forward last year with Hamilton and Russell claiming two wins each. Despite showing strong pace in certain stages of the season, Mercedes could only manage fourth in the constructors’ championship
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 0 |
McLaren Racing |
0 |
| 0 |
Sauber F1 Team |
0 |
| 0 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Bull Racing |
0 |
| 0 |
Racing Bulls |
0 |
| 0 |
Haas F1 Team |
0 |
| 0 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
0 |
| 0 |
Williams F1 Team |
0 |
| 0 |
Aston Martin F1 Team |
0 |
| 0 |
Alpine F1 Team |
0 |
Heading into 2025, Mercedes have ‘gone to town’ on cooling for the W16 to reduce drag. The team’s exciting changes could put them in a position to challenge this year.
Rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli will partner Russell in 2025 after a hugely impressive junior career. Antonelli is excited to drive the W16 as he looks to make an impression in his debut year.
Toto Wolff admits it was ‘unusual’ not seeing Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes garage for W16 filming day
Pre-season testing in Bahrain is fully underway, with the Italian setting the pace in the morning session. Antonelli was seen using Russell’s garage as Mercedes look to test both drivers’ mechanics at Sakhir.
Mercedes hit the track in the W16 for the first time the day before for a filming day. But there was one notable absentee.
The Silver Arrows will not have Hamilton in the car for the first time since 2012 as he moves over to rivals Ferrari. Speaking with RacingNews365, Toto Wolff admitted it was ‘unusual’ not having the seven-time champion in the garage.
However, the Austrian is excited by the ‘new buzz’ around the team with Antonelli’s arrival: “It’s a bit unusual not seeing Lewis rock up in the garage, it’s been a while. But Kimi’s such a great value to the team, the dynamic is so positive,” he said.
“And I see a bit of a new buzz going through the team because it’s new. We’re very much looking forward to see how it performs.”
Has Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari already been justified?
Even Mercedes fans felt the W16 was missing Hamilton’s iconic number 44 from the car. It will take some time to get used to seeing the Brit in red after 12 incredible years with the Silver Arrows.
It may be early doors, but Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes might have been a wise one. Russell has already cast doubt on his title chances in 2025, which will be music to Ferrari and the 40-year-old’s ears.
‘Rumours’ around the paddock suggest Ferrari have overtaken McLaren in development over the winter. The Woking-based outfit are favourites to defend their constructors’ titles, but the Maranello outfit could now have an advantage.
Hamilton is more energised than ever to fight for his record-eighth world championship in 2025. If the SF-25 proves competitive, the combination could be a force to be reckoned with.
