Mercedes has become the latest team to release images of its 2025 Formula 1 car out on track having completed a shakedown with the W16 in Bahrain on Tuesday.
Mercedes unveiled its challenger for the upcoming campaign on Monday, having revealed a close-to-unchanged livery last week at the live F1 season launch in London.
The German marque addressed that there had been sizeable changes to the W16 compared to its inconsistent predecessor as it bids to return to championship contention.
Both George Russell and new team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli were given the chance to sample the newest Mercedes machine in a shakedown limited to 200 kilometres.
Russell, who has insisted Mercedes will avoid the “traps” it has in previous seasons, stated an eagerness to see how the actual car compares to the sim model he has used.
“Flown by, it’s absolutely flown by,” Russell said. “It feels like yesterday we were here last year for testing. Just can’t wait to get out there.
“So much hard work has gone in over the winter.
“I’ve driven the car so many times in the sim and today’s only the filming days, but tomorrow and in the next three days we’re gonna find out how that car’s performing.”
Meanwhile, Antonelli, the successor to seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, expressed that he had been waiting with anticipation to begin his rookie campaign.
“We’re finally back,” the Italian added. “We’re back, finally – officially testing.
“Well, today’s filming day, but finally getting the first few laps with the new car.
“Really excited – I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. I’m really happy – couldn’t be happier, to be honest.”
Mercedes was present at the venue which will host pre-season testing this week along with Red Bull, which had Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson on track in the new RB21.
READ MORE – 2025 Mercedes F1 car features wholesale changes to dial out W15 inconsistencies
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