Without any major updates or modifications, the Mercedes W16 has quietly establish itself as a very competitive package.
With the wider F1 narrative focused on Max Verstappen and McLaren, the Silver Arrows have gone somewhat under the radar this season.
Despite this, the W16 – particularly in the hands of George Russell – consistently finds itself fighting for the podium positions.
McLaren’s MCL39 remains the benchmark, but unlike previous seasons under this set of regulations, Mercedes are within touching distance.
Mercedes confirm W16 updates in bid to catch McLaren
Throughout last season, and indeed 2022 and 2023, it was inconsistency that prevented Mercedes from fighting for Championships.
Differences in track temperature, wind conditions and circuit layouts all impacted their performance from week to week – making it almost impossible to string together strong results.
Things have changed significantly in 2025, though, with the W16 a far more consistent machine than its predecessors.
In terms of ultimate pace, there is still a notable gap to McLaren. The papaya team also enjoy the luxury of fantastic tyre management and excellent race pace.
Still, Mercedes can be satisfied that – generally speaking – they are more than a match for Ferrari and Red Bull, both of whom brought updates in previous events.
Wolff outlines Mercedes plans
Having established a strong baseline in the first six rounds, Mercedes can be confident about their first major upgrades of 2025.
Toto Wolff confirms the next series of events will see big transformations to the W16:
“Our focus is on making gains on that final point, as we begin the European leg of the season.
“The team at Lauda drive have been working hard to do that, and we will be bringing several updates over the coming races.”
Most teams will bring substantial upgrades this weekend in Imola, owing to the logistical ease of transporting components at the first European event of the campaign.
However, updates to the W16 in Spain and Montreal also promise to push the Brackley squad forward.
The technical directive to be implemented at the Spanish GP will also force teams – some more than others – to make adjustments to any flexi-wing components they have.
Mercedes are not major beneficiaries of flexi-wings, at least relative to McLaren, so the Silver Arrows will undoubtedly follow how competitors perform in Barcelona with great interest.
Previous weaknesses rectified
Generally speaking, the last twelve months have seen growing confidence from James Allison and his technical team.
Even at the early stages of last year, Allison was adamant that Mercedes were pursuing the right concept for long-term development.
In fact, these comments came just before the 2024 Canadian GP – when Ferrari began experiencing their first major obstacles.
Almost twelve years later, it is Mercedes who find themselves in a far stronger relative position.
Ferrari’s SF-25, aside from lacking in downforce and traction, suffers from a very small operating window.
Meanwhile, Red Bull have managed to rectify some of the RB21’s worst unpredictability from the first few rounds – but the new floor Verstappen used in Miami wasn’t enough to put any pressure on McLaren.
Aside from McLaren, Toto Wolff’s team have enjoyed the best development trajectory over the last year.
This should serve as a strong platform for further improvement and further vindicate James Allison’s interventions at Brackley.
Main Photo: LAT Images
