Mercedes believes that it has made “good steps” towards addressing the weaknesses that plagued it in 2024 with the team’s W16 car based on Formula 1 pre-season testing.
The German marque is striving to return to title contention in 2025 having been unable to generate consistent performance since the sport’s return to ground effect in 2022.
Mercedes endured more anguish during the previous campaign with a W15 machine that was susceptible to capricious swings in competitiveness tied to the track conditions.
But while that was listed as a limitation it has aimed to address with its successor, the abnormally cool temperatures present in Bahrain concealed whether it has succeeded.
However, Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin revealed that the team’s initial verdict is that it has remedied the issues that undermined its predecessor.
“We’ve had a solid three days of pre-season testing here in Bahrain,” Shovlin reflected.
“The team has worked hard over the winter to improve on the weaknesses of the W15 and, from the initial signs, we seem to have made good steps in those areas.
“It is a testament to the hard work of everyone at Brackley and Brixworth that we were able to complete the most laps of any team over the course of the test,” alluding to the 458 laps that George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli managed over the three days.
But with the margins expected to be tight in 2025, Shovlin has acknowledged that Mercedes must utilise the two-week gap to the opening race to better optimise the W16.
“Over the next week, we will pick through that data to assess areas of improvement and to bring the most effective race car we can for the first race in Melbourne in two weeks’ time,” he said.
“It is of course far too early to make an accurate prediction of the competitive order.
“However, we can be pleased with how the test has gone and look forward to heading to Australia to begin the 2025 season.”
Russell pleased ‘seamless’ Mercedes programme
Russell concurred with Shovlin’s view as he echoed the general paddock consensus that McLaren is poised to begin the season as the team to beat with the MCL39.
“We’ve had a productive three days here at pre-season testing in Bahrain,” the Briton added.
“The team at Brackley, Brixworth, and here trackside have done a great job to have us ready for the test and rack up an amount of mileage.
“We’ve had a seamless three days, and the car is running well. It is no surprise to see some of our competitors, particularly McLaren, looking strong.
“We’ve compiled significant data and knowledge which gives the opportunity to find further improvements ahead of Melbourne.
“Kimi and I will be in the factory next week, driving on the simulator, and everyone will be pushing flat out to ensure we bring our best to Australia. I can’t wait to get started.”
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