Mercedes W16 Gets ‘Mature’ and ‘Improved’ Refresh for F1 2025
Read next: Formula 1 World Champions — A legacy of racing legends
Mercedes W16 Gets ‘Mature’ and ‘Improved’ Refresh for F1 2025
With Formula 1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit just around the corner, teams that opted for individual car launches are now finalizing preparations. Among them, Mercedes has dominated the headlines with the official reveal of its latest contender, the W16, ahead of its scheduled filming day in Bahrain.
Mercedes Unveils the W16 for the 2025 F1 Season
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team has pulled the covers off the W16, the first car of a new era for the team following Lewis Hamilton’s departure. Having showcased its livery at the F1 75 event in London last week—featuring a striking blend of silver and black—the team has now released full images of the car before its initial track debut.
Set for a filming day at the Bahrain International Circuit on Tuesday, the W16 will hit the track for the first time under the control of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. This private run will allow Mercedes to conduct system checks before the car undergoes rigorous testing later in the week.
Technical Insights: What’s New on the Mercedes W16?
As Formula 1 enters its fourth year under the current ground-effect regulations, significant performance gains have become harder to find. However, Mercedes has focused on refining key areas of the car that hindered last season’s W15.
The new design features:
- A revised front wing for improved aerodynamic efficiency
- Reworked rear suspension aimed at enhancing mechanical grip
- A redesigned floor to optimize airflow management
- A streamlined shark-fin engine cover for better stability
Mercedes’ Technical Director, James Allison, outlined the team’s objectives: “Our primary focus has been on eliminating the W15’s reluctance in slow-speed corners and improving its overall balance. We’ve made significant progress over the winter, but true performance levels will only become clear in the first few races.”
Williams Prepares for a Challenging Start
Elsewhere in the paddock, Williams Racing is preparing to face early-season hurdles as they introduce the new FW47. Team Principal James Vowles acknowledged that last season’s high crash rate—which saw Williams top F1’s unofficial ‘World Destructors’ Championship’—could have financial repercussions.
“We had 17 major incidents last year, and while we don’t expect it to have a systemic impact, it does come with a small amount of pain,” Vowles admitted. The team’s repair bill reportedly reached nearly €14 million in 2024, making efficiency and cost management critical for the upcoming season.
Liam Lawson Begins His Red Bull Racing Journey
Liam Lawson has officially begun his tenure as a Red Bull Racing driver, completing his first test session with the senior team at Jerez earlier this month. While Lawson has previously driven Red Bull machinery, this marked his first outing in Red Bull colors since his promotion from VCARB (formerly AlphaTauri).
As he prepares to partner Max Verstappen for the 2025 season, Lawson’s adaptation to the RB21 will be closely watched. With Sergio Perez exiting the team, Red Bull is betting on Lawson’s raw talent to support Verstappen in their championship defense.
Pre-Season Testing Kicks Off in Bahrain
With the 2025 Formula 1 season fast approaching, all eyes are now on Bahrain as teams finalize their pre-season preparations. Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren will all take to the track in the coming days, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense battle for supremacy.
As the shakedown sessions conclude and full testing begins, the first hints of the competitive order will emerge. Will Mercedes' W16 put them back in title contention? Can Red Bull maintain its dominance? The answers will start unfolding in Bahrain.
Up Next
