Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Co-Owner, CEO, and Team Principal Toto Wolff states, “In 2025, we are embarking on an exciting new era for our team and Mercedes-AMG motorsport. We are building a new future on the incredible legacy of our past and can’t wait to start competing. Every member of our team in Brackley and Brixworth has worked tirelessly throughout the winter. Last season, the competition on the track was incredibly intense, and while we secured a few victories, our focus remains on consistently fighting for wins. We’ve made progress during the offseason, but our true standing will only become clear at the first race in Australia.”
A Promising Lineup
“We have an exciting lineup that will help us achieve our goals. Both drivers have risen through our junior program, showcasing our commitment to nurturing and developing talent.”
“George has proven to be one of the best drivers on the grid. If we provide him with a competitive car, he has what it takes to fight for the Drivers’ Championship. As the senior driver, he will play a crucial role in driving the team forward and supporting Kimi’s development.”
“Kimi has all the talent required to achieve great success at the pinnacle of the sport. However, as with any rookie season, there will be inevitable highs and lows. We look forward to this journey together and hope to support his growth throughout the year,” Toto added.
New Faces in the Team
George-Russell and Kimi Antonelli
“Last year felt like my strongest season in F1,” says George Russell. “This will be my seventh season in the sport and my fourth with Mercedes. Every year, I work hard to improve, and as a team, we are incredibly motivated to build on last season. There’s a huge buzz in the factories at Brackley and Brixworth, and I can’t wait to hit the track.”
“Having a new teammate like Kimi is also exciting. He’s incredibly fast, and I believe we’ll make a great partnership. Naturally, he has a lot to learn in his first season, but I’m looking forward to helping him and working together to push the team forward.”
Kimi has made rapid progress through the junior categories. Despite being just 18, he has delivered impressive performances at every stage, winning F4 and Formula Regional championships and securing race victories in F2 last season.
The Italian driver shares, “I’m excited to make my F1 debut this year. This is a huge opportunity, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Mercedes for their faith and trust in me. I’ve worked hard over the winter to be as prepared as possible, and now I just can’t wait to get started. My focus is to keep learning, stay consistent, and do my best for the team. I’m also looking forward to working with George. We already get along well, and having support from someone who has come through the junior program is invaluable. He’s an incredibly strong driver, and I think we’ll form a great duo.”
George and Kimi will be supported by Third Driver Valtteri Bottas and Reserve Driver Fred Vesti. A 10-time Grand Prix winner, Valtteri returns to the team after helping secure five Constructors’ Championships with the Silver Arrows from 2017 to 2021. Meanwhile, Fred continues in his role from last year.
Valtteri says, “I couldn’t be happier to return to Mercedes. It truly feels like home. It’s been great reconnecting with old colleagues, and I’m eager to contribute both on and off the track. As Third Driver, I’ll be present at every Grand Prix, offering support and an extra set of eyes. I’ll also be involved in the factory, working on the simulator to help develop the car. I can’t wait to get started.”
Fred adds, “It’s fantastic to return for another year as Reserve Driver. I’ve been part of the Mercedes family for several years, and it truly feels like home. I look forward to working with George, Kimi, Valtteri, and the rest of the team to develop the car and push the team forward.”
Chassis and Power Unit
The 2025 season marks the fourth year under the current chassis regulations and the 12th under the existing Power Unit framework, with a major overhaul on the horizon for 2026.
Technical Director James Allison explains, “As we enter the fourth year of these regulations, cars have reached a more refined stage. Finding lap time gains has become more challenging, but we’ve focused on improving the areas that held us back last season.”
“Our primary focus has been eliminating the W15’s reluctance to rotate in slow corners and addressing the tire temperature inconsistencies that made the car unpredictable between sessions.”
These efforts have led to changes in every aerodynamic surface, a new front suspension, and further refinements to the car’s underpinnings to correct the challenges of its predecessor, the W16. James adds, “We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made over the winter, and now we’re eager to see where we stand against the competition.”
Meanwhile, Power Unit developments remain frozen, but that doesn’t mean work has stopped. Power Unit Director Hywel Thomas, Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, explains, “We’ve been focusing on reliability upgrades and some calibration improvements. Our aim is to enhance durability while extracting the last bits of performance to maximize our chances this season. We’ve made good progress, and hopefully, this translates into strong performance on track.”
With the 2026 regulations bringing significant changes, 2025 marks the final year for this generation of Power Units. Hywel adds, “This is truly the end of an era. Since 2014, our success has been made possible by a dedicated and talented group of people. It’s a privilege to have been part of this journey. We would love to conclude this chapter by adding more success to Mercedes’ factory team, and everyone is focused on that goal.”
Given the scale of the 2026 regulation changes, work on the next-generation Power Unit has been ongoing for years at Brixworth. Meanwhile, in Brackley, the team is now free to begin development on next year’s car, making 2025 a delicate balancing act.
James Allison states, “This is one of the biggest regulatory shifts in the sport’s history. Every team faces the challenge of allocating resources effectively—competing this year while preparing for 2026 and beyond. We are excited about this challenge and are committed to working collaboratively between Brackley and Brixworth to compete at our best this year while building for future success.”
Hywel Thomas adds, “The 2026 regulation changes present a major challenge, but it’s one we embrace. The work on sustainable fuels, in particular, is an exciting evolution. Our partnership with PETRONAS and their expertise is a key advantage in this area. This is a massive project, and we are working tirelessly to maximize the opportunity ahead.”
Toto Wolff concludes, “This will be an extremely competitive season. Last year, we saw how close the teams were. It was impossible to predict who would be on top before each race, and I expect an even tighter battle this year. If we want to fight for the championship, we must perform at the highest level throughout the season.”
James Allison adds, “It’s going to be a fiercely contested championship from the start. At this stage of the regulations, cars are converging in terms of performance. We’ll likely see multiple race winners, and even more teams standing on the top step than the four that won last year.”
Hywel Thomas continues, “Gains in lap time are minimal within these regulations. However, every little bit of extra speed matters, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Last year, we saw just how close things were in qualifying. Finding those extra 10 or 20 milliseconds can make all the difference—between pole position and second or third place. We’ll keep chasing those margins, and hopefully, when we arrive in Abu Dhabi, we’ll still be fighting for the championship.”
