Mercedes have turn out to be the newest crew to drag the duvet off their 2025 F1 automobile, the W16 that shall be piloted by George Russell and 18-year-old Italian racer, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Mercedes have already revealed their livery for the upcoming 2025 F1 season, however they elected to indicate off their new challenger forward of its on-track debut on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, simply two days earlier than the beginning of pre-season testing.
Talking on the eve of the brand new automobile, Mercedes crew boss Toto Wolff famous: “We open an thrilling new period within the story of our crew and Mercedes-AMG motorsport in 2025. We’re constructing on the unbelievable legacy of our heritage, and we are able to’t wait to go racing.
“Everybody on the crew, in Brackley and Brixworth, has been laborious at work over the winter. Final season was extremely aggressive on the observe and, while we took a number of wins, we’re all centered on difficult for victories extra constantly. We’ve made beneficial properties within the low season, however we are going to solely know the place we stand come the primary race in Australia,” he continues.
It is going to be the primary time since 2012 that Mercedes embark on a season with out seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. George Russell will lead the crew following the document champion’s departure, alongside 18-year-old Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
“We’ve an thrilling line-up to assist us obtain our goals. Each drivers have progressed by way of our junior programme and that could be a vindication of our dedication to each supporting and growing expertise.
“George has confirmed that he is without doubt one of the best possible drivers on the grid, able to competing for the Drivers’ Championship if we can provide him a automobile able to doing so. Because the senior driver, he’ll assist lead the crew ahead and assist Kimi in his improvement.
“Kimi has all the mandatory expertise to realize nice issues on the pinnacle of the game, however this can be a rookie season and there’ll inevitably be ups and downs. We’re wanting ahead to that journey collectively although and serving to him develop over the course of the yr,” Toto says.
Introducing the Mercedes-AMG F1 W16 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/Gs244BRH8R
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Staff (@MercedesAMGF1) February 24, 2025
Talking forward of the season, Russell famous: “I really feel like final yr was my strongest in F1. This coming season shall be my seventh within the sport, and fourth with the works Mercedes crew, and I’m working laborious to enhance year-on-year.
“As a crew, we’re extremely motivated to enhance on final season. There’s a nice vitality throughout the factories at Brackley and Brixworth so I’m desirous to take to the observe.
“It’s additionally thrilling having a brand new team-mate in Kimi this yr. He’s extremely fast and I feel we are going to make an ideal partnership. Naturally, there’s a lot for him to be taught in his first season however I’m wanting ahead to serving to him try this and dealing collectively to assist push the crew ahead,” he continues.
Kimi Antonelli has risen by way of the junior ranks rapidly. While he enters F1 at 18 years previous, his youth has not stopped him from impressing at every rung on the single-seater ladder, with titles in F4, System Regional, and race wins in F2 final yr.
“I’m excited to make my debut in F1 this yr,” says the Italian. “It’s a nice alternative, and I’m very grateful to everybody at Mercedes for the religion and belief they’ve positioned in me. I’ve been working actually laborious over the winter to be as prepared as I can presumably be and now, I can’t wait to get began.
“My focus is on persevering with to be taught, being constant, and doing the very best job I can for the crew. I’m wanting ahead to working with George; we’re already gelling nicely and it’s nice to have the assist of somebody who has come by way of the junior programme too. “He’s an extremely sturdy driver and collectively I feel we are going to make an ideal duo,” the Italian concluded.
Russell and Antonelli shall be backed up by Third Driver Valtteri Bottas and Reserve Driver Fred Vesti. The ten-time Grand Prix winner returns to the crew having been a part of 5 Constructors’ Championships for the Silver Arrows from 2017 to 2021, while Vesti continues in his position from final yr.
“I couldn’t be happier to be again with Mercedes. It looks like I’m dwelling. It’s been nice to meet up with former colleagues and I’m actually wanting ahead to serving to the crew each on and off the observe.
“As Third Driver, I shall be at each Grand Prix offering assist and that further set of eyes. I will even be on the manufacturing facility serving to develop the automobile within the simulator too. I can’t wait to get began,” Bottas concluded.
Vesti commented: “It’s nice to return for one more yr as Reserve Driver. I’ve been part of the Mercedes crew for a number of years now and it truly is my household.
“I’m wanting ahead to working with George, Kimi, Valtteri, and the broader crew to assist develop the automobile and push the crew ahead.”
