Mercedes reveals W16 in Bahrain on eve of F1 testing

The unveiling marks the beginning of a new chapter for the German team as it heads into the final season under the current Formula 1 regulations. Team boss Toto Wolff, drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as well as senior engineers discussing the new Mercedes F1 car.

The Mercedes W16, an evolution of its predecessor, incorporates significant updates drawn from lessons learned in previous campaigns, according to the team. While specific technical details were not disclosed at the unveiling, a comprehensive 2025 press pack, including full specifications, was made available to the media.

Mercedes co-owner and CEO Toto Wolff said: "We open an exciting new era in the story of our team and Mercedes-AMG motorsport in 2025. We are building on the incredible legacy of our heritage, and we can't wait to go racing.

"Everyone at the team, in Brackley and Brixworth, has been hard at work over the winter. Last season was incredibly competitive on the track and, whilst we took several wins, we are all focused on challenging for victories more consistently. We have made gains in the off-season, but we will only know where we stand come the first race in Australia.

"We have an exciting line-up to help us achieve our objectives. Both drivers have progressed through our junior programme, and that is a vindication of our commitment to both supporting and developing talent.

"George has proven that he is one of the very best drivers on the grid, capable of competing for the Drivers' Championship if we can give him a car capable of doing so. As the senior driver, he will help lead the team forward and support Kimi in his development.

"Kimi has all the necessary talent to achieve great things at the pinnacle of the sport, but this is a rookie season and there will inevitably be ups and downs. We're looking forward to that journey together and helping him develop over the course of the year," added Wolff.

New team leader Russell, 27, said: "I feel like last year was my strongest in F1. This coming season will be my seventh in the sport, and fourth with the works Mercedes team, and I'm working hard to improve year-on-year. As a team, we are incredibly motivated to improve on last season. There is great energy within the factories at Brackley and Brixworth, so I'm eager to take to the track.

"It's also exciting having a new team-mate in Kimi this year. He's incredibly quick and I think we will make a great partnership. Naturally, there is a lot for him to learn in his first season, but I'm looking forward to helping him do that and working together to help push the team forward," added Russell.

Antonelli has risen through the junior ranks quickly. Whilst he enters F1 at 18, his youth has not stopped him from impressing at each rung on the single-seater ladder, with titles in F4, Formula Regional, and race wins in F2 last year.

The Italian rookie said: "I'm excited to make my debut in F1 this year. It is a great opportunity, and I am very thankful to everyone at Mercedes for the faith and trust they've placed in me. I've been working hard over the winter to be as ready as I can possibly be, and now, I can't wait to get started.

"My focus is on continuing to learn, being consistent, and doing the best job I can for the team. I'm looking forward to working with George; we're already gelling well, and it's great to have the support of someone who has come through the junior programme too. He is an incredibly strong driver, and together I think we will make a great duo," Antonelli added.

George and Kimi will be backed up by Third Driver Valtteri Bottas and Reserve Driver Fred Vesti. Ten-time Grand Prix winner Bottas returns to the team, having been part of five Constructors' Championships for the Silver Arrows from 2017 to 2021, while Vesti continues in his role from last year.

Bottas said: "I couldn't be happier to be back with Mercedes. It feels like I'm home. It's been great to catch up with former colleagues, and I'm really looking forward to helping the team both on and off the track. As Third Driver, I will be at every Grand Prix providing support and that extra set of eyes. I will also be at the factory helping develop the car in the simulator too. I can't wait to get started."

Vesti added: "It's great to return for another year as Reserve Driver. I've been a part of the Mercedes team for several years now, and it really is my family. I'm looking forward to working with George, Kimi, Valtteri, and the wider team to help develop the car and push the team forward."

The 2025 season marks the fourth year of the current chassis regulations and the 12th under the existing Power Unit rules. A major technical overhaul looms for 2026.

Mercedes F1 technical director James Allison highlighted the significance of the final season under current rules: "Being the fourth year of these regulations on the chassis side, the cars are in the more mature phase. Big gains in lap time are harder to come by, but we've been concentrating on making improvements in the areas that held us back last year.

"Our primary focus has been on dialling out the W15's slight reluctance to turn in slow corners, along with the imbalance in tyre temperatures that made the car inconsistent from session to session," Allison continued.

That has led to changes to every aerodynamic surface, new front suspension, and further modifications under the skin of the W16 to remedy some of the more challenging characteristics of its predecessor.

"We are pleased with our progress over the winter, and we're looking forward to finding out where we stack up against everyone else," added Allison.

Power Unit development remains frozen, but that has not stopped Mercedes from pushing for gains, as power unit boss Hywel Thomas, Managing Director of Mercedes AMG High-Performance Powertrains, explained: "We have been looking at reliability updates and some calibration upgrades to deliver robustness, squeeze the last little bits of performance out of the Power Unit, and give ourselves the best opportunity this season. We've made good progress, and hopefully, that can add performance on track."

With a major reset in the regulations for next year, 2025 marks the swansong for the current generation of Power Units.

"It's definitely the end of an era," Thomas said. "The success we have achieved since 2014 was only possible through the hard work of a huge group of talented people. It makes you proud to have been a part of that team. We would love to end such an incredible chapter by adding to our success as the Mercedes works team, and everyone is focused on doing that."

Wolff concluded: "It is going to be a highly competitive season. We saw last year just how close the field was. You couldn't say race-to-race who would be at the front, and I expect this year to be even closer. We will have to be at our very best if we want to challenge for championships this season."

Allison echoed his boss: "It will be a fiercely fought championship from the off. At this stage of the regulations, the cars are converging in terms of performance. There will be multiple winners, and it's possible that we will see even more teams than the four that scored victories last year taking to the top step of the podium."