Mercedes F1 Strategy: Pursuing Victory in 2025 While Preparing for 2026 Rule Changes

Mercedes is determined to stay competitive in Formula 1 in 2025, even as they prepare for the changes in F1's regulations. "I like to refer to Niki's philosophy when faced with a choice: 'Do you want to win the current race or the next one?' His response is, 'Both.'"

Toto Wolff has announced that Mercedes is determined to continue competing in 2025, rather than shifting focus early to the new Formula 1 regulations set to be introduced in 2026.

Mercedes has experienced a season filled with both highs and lows this year.

Before the summer hiatus, they were the team to beat, securing victories in three out of the four races leading up to the break.

Since the race in Zandvoort, Mercedes has not been able to challenge the leading teams and has slipped behind Ferrari in the rankings.

The present regulations will come to an end in 2025, and a completely new set of rules will be implemented a year after that.

To kick off 2026 on a strong note, certain teams could choose to shift their attention away from concentrating on the preceding year.

Wolff has firmly dismissed this possibility for Mercedes, as the Austrian is focused on achieving championship victories in both seasons.

Wolff explained to Autosport that the main issue each year is whether a significant regulatory shift will force teams to sacrifice performance in one season or another.

When questioned about his preference between winning the current or the next event, Niki's response is encapsulated by his mantra: "Both."

At times, things are simpler than they appear. The shift of personnel and skills to meet the 2026 rules might occur sooner than it would if the regulations remained consistent, but it won't be revolutionary.

"No one will be shutting down the machines in January, unless we're completely off track. However, moving from P10 to P7 doesn't really benefit us. We're focused on competing for wins and podium finishes, so giving up is not an option."

Mercedes' performance fluctuations are not unusual among the leading teams, as Ferrari and Red Bull are experiencing similar issues.

Wolff admitted that it was challenging to grasp why there was an inconsistency in performance among teams, except for McLaren.

He mentioned that the fluctuation in performance from one race to another, or even over a series of races, is challenging to calculate. A car that appears to be the same can shift from winning a race to finishing in sixth place.

The sole team not affected by this issue is McLaren. They seem to have a strong foundational setup and a broader operational range compared to the rest of us, allowing them to maintain consistent performance.

All the other teams fluctuate between excitement and gloom. Earlier in the year, people dismissed Ferrari, yet they have made a remarkable comeback.

Earlier in the year, Mercedes was at the forefront of the competition, but that's no longer the case. The factors that influence performance are so complex that even the smartest individuals sometimes find themselves puzzled.

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