Mercedes F1 join the ranks in unveiling their 2025 livery at Formula 1’s F1 75 Season Launch event — the German marquee debuted their W16 livery alongside the other teams.
A mixed bag in 2024
Following a season of steady improvement in 2024 with the W15, Mercedes F1 have unveiled the livery for their 2025 challenger, the W16. Following a difficult start to 2024, Mercedes brought consistent improvement to the W15. A strong finish to the season showed the pay off of the team’s hard work.
Mercedes hit a low early in 2024, with a pointless weekend in Australia ringing alarm bells. Their steady improvements amidst a highly competitive field saw highlights throughout the middle and latter portions of the season however.
A home win for outgoing Lewis Hamilton stands out as a highlight for the team. Teammate George Russell also managed to secure the team’s first win of the season just one week earlier in Austria. A strong 1-2 finish in Las Vegas rounded out an overall positive season for the team.
With a season of overall mixed results, the team eventually finished P4 in the constructors’ championship. Russell and Hamilton occupied P6 and P7 respectively in the drivers’ championship as the flag fell in Abu Dhabi.
While the team may have lost ground in the championship to rivals McLaren and Ferrari compared to 2023, their overall points haul improved. Overall the W15 was an improvement on the previous car, a trend the team will hope to continue with the W16.
A different driver line-up
With the news dropping early in February of 2024, that it would be Hamilton’s final season with the team, the high points were made all the more emotional. With the seven time champions exit however, a seat was left open. Mercedes were later to announce the signing of Formula 2 graduate Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The team will have high hopes for 2025 with a refreshed driver line-up taking the helm of the W16. The incoming Antonelli has impressed overall, despite a rocky start in the sport. A crash in his debut FP1 session in Monza saw the young Italian only appear for 10 minutes. A solid performance in the post season test in Abu Dhabi however, saw him 5th fastest overall.
As the team gears up for testing in Bahrain later this month, ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in March, everyone eagerly awaits the on track debut of the W16.
