Mercedes is gearing up for a crucial 2025 Formula 1 season, aiming to return to title contention after struggling since the introduction of ground effect cars.
The team has hinted at a more aggressive upgrade approach, acknowledging that it lagged behind its rivals in 2024.
Despite showing promise early in 2024 with three wins in five races following a front wing upgrade, Mercedes’ competitiveness declined as the season progressed.
George Russell has stated that the team has identified key areas for improvement over the winter, with certain upgrades that could not be introduced last season now set to feature on the 2025 car.
“There have been a lot of… I wouldn’t say changes directly from last year to this year, these are things that have been in the pipeline for a long time, items that we couldn’t quite put on the car in 2024 but we’ve been working on them for a long time,” Russell told Sky Sports.
“Throughout this year, with the thought of 2026, whether people keep developing or not is going to be quite intriguing.”
With a major regulation overhaul coming in 2026, teams face the challenge of balancing their 2025 development with preparations for the future.
The upcoming changes will see smaller, lighter cars with active aerodynamics, alongside an engine formula shifting to a near 50/50 power split between electrical and combustion energy.
Until last month, teams were prohibited from working on their 2026 challengers, adding further complexity to long-term planning.
Mercedes’ 2025 car will incorporate parts that have been in development for some time but could not be implemented on the W15.
Russell is eager to see how the development race unfolds in the final season before the regulatory shift.
