1 / 10Mercedes Unveil W16: Mercedes introduced their 2025 Formula 1 car, named the W16, on Monday through an online presentation. This unveiling took place days before the team heads to Bahrain for pre-season testing, scheduled from Wednesday to Friday. The reveal follows their showcase of the car’s livery at a prominent Formula One event in London earlier this month. The launch signifies the beginning of a fresh chapter for the team after losing their long-time driver, Lewis Hamilton.
2 / 10Hamilton’s Departure: Lewis Hamilton, who secured seven world championships, has parted ways with Mercedes to join Ferrari for the 2025 season. Now 40, Hamilton concluded his tenure with the team after 2024. His replacement is 18-year-old Italian driver Kimi Antonelli, stepping into his first Formula 1 season. George Russell continues as the second driver, joined by Valtteri Bottas, who returns as reserve after racing for Mercedes from 2017 to 2021.
3 / 10Team’s New Era: “We open an exciting new era in 2025,” declared team principal Toto Wolff during the launch. He emphasised the team’s intention to build on their past achievements. Mercedes dominated the constructors’ championship, winning eight consecutive titles between 2014 and 2021. The squad is eager to return to racing and add to their storied record.
4 / 10Chassis Development: The 2025 season represents the fourth year under the existing chassis regulations, introduced in 2022. Technical Director James Allison explained that car designs have reached a more developed stage. Finding significant improvements in lap times has become challenging under these stable rules. The team has instead targeted specific shortcomings identified in the previous car, the W15.
5 / 10W16 Improvements: Engineers reworked the W16 to fix issues from the W15, particularly its difficulty turning in low-speed corners. They also tackled inconsistent tyre temperatures, which caused unpredictable performance across sessions. Modifications include updates to all aerodynamic surfaces and a redesigned front suspension system. Additional tweaks beneath the car’s exterior aim to address other inherited flaws.
6 / 10Power Unit Focus: Current Power Unit regulations remain unchanged for 2025, locking development in place. Hywel Thomas, Managing Director of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, noted ongoing efforts in reliability enhancements. The team has also introduced calibration adjustments to extract minor performance gains. This marks the last season for these Power Units before a major overhaul in 2026.
7 / 10End of an Era: “2025 is the end of an era,” said Hywel Thomas, reflecting on the current Power Unit generation. Since 2014, Mercedes has achieved considerable success, thanks to the dedication of many skilled individuals. The team hopes to cap this period with more victories as the factory outfit. Preparations for the 2026 Power Unit have been underway at their Brixworth facility for years.
8 / 102026 Preparations: The 2026 season will bring one of the most significant regulation shifts in Formula 1 history, according to James Allison. Teams face the task of splitting resources between competing in 2025 and designing for 2026. Mercedes coordinates efforts between their Brackley chassis base and Brixworth engine hub. The goal is to stay competitive this year while laying groundwork for the future.
9 / 10Sustainable Fuels: The upcoming 2026 rules prioritise sustainable fuels, presenting a substantial challenge. Hywel Thomas highlighted the collaboration with PETRONAS, whose knowledge is vital for this transition. The Brixworth team finds this shift engaging and is fully committed to the project. They aim to capitalise on the possibilities this change offers.
10 / 10Season Outlook: Mercedes placed fourth in the 2024 constructors’ standings, earning four race wins—two each from Russell and Hamilton. Toto Wolff anticipates a tightly contested 2025 season, building on last year’s close competition. Testing in Bahrain will provide early insights, with the season kicking off at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16. Mercedes-powered McLaren defends their constructors’ title, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen seeks a fifth straight drivers’ championship.