Kimi Antonelli brought home more good points for Mercedes, albeit after taking a step back between qualifying and race day.<\/p>\n
Whilst pleased with the team’s efficiency, Toto Wolff is hopeful of adding more performance.<\/p>\n
Mercedes optimise their weekend, await first 2025 upgrades<\/h2>\n
Much like McLaren, the Silver Arrows are yet to bring any significant upgrades in 2025.<\/p>\n
Of the front-runners, only Ferrari<\/a> and Red Bull<\/a> have managed to fit new components in the opening six rounds.<\/p>\n In this context, Mercedes can be satisfied they have not lost any significant ground, having expended relatively fewer resources.<\/p>\n Still, a step forward is necessary to give Russell and Antonelli the tools to fight for wins consistently.<\/p>\n Conscious of this, team principal Toto Wolff<\/a> has analysed the W16’s position:<\/p>\n “George drove a great race today, and did everything he needed to do to claim third.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n “It was another mature performance where he got everything out of the car that was there.<\/em><\/p>\n “Obviously, the gap to the McLaren’s was large…<\/em><\/p>\n “That is disappointing, but we are working hard to bring updates that will hopefully close that deficit.”<\/em><\/p>\n Wolff acknowledges that at specific circuits, the W16 is capable of giving McLaren<\/a> some headaches – as seen in China and Bahrain.<\/p>\n In general terms, though, the papaya squad still enjoy a notable advantage:<\/p>\n “We’ve seen these performance gaps fluctuate over these first six races.<\/em><\/p>\n “And some weekends other teams get right in the mix at the front, but they are the team to beat right now.”<\/em><\/p>\n The good news for Mercedes is that, though still experiencing some variations at different circuits, the W16 is very consistent.<\/p>\n Should they choose to allocate further resources to 2026, there will be a strong foundation to do so.<\/p>\n As previously reported by LWOS, Mercedes are expected to produce the best engine<\/a> for 2026.<\/p>\n The Brackley-based outfit know better than most about the implications of hitting the ground running when new regulations arrive.<\/p>\n Beyond just engine development, Mercedes are likely to switch their focus to next year earlier than Red Bull or McLaren<\/a>.<\/p>\n With two young drivers that understand the importance of 2026, there is no pressure for the team to unnecessarily waste resources on this year’s car.<\/p>\n Both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli know what the team’s medium and long-term priorities are.<\/p>\n Still, this is not to say Mercedes will completely abandon the W16.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/05\/M502790-1024x640.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/05\/M502247-1024x683.jpg\")
Mercedes keep 2026 in mind<\/h4>\n