Mercedes Gears Up for 2025: W16 to Echo W15’s Design with Focus on Overcoming Current Weaknesses

Mercedes discloses initial information on their 2025 Formula 1 vehicle to select press outlets including Crash.net, indicating it will be a 'near relative' of the W15 as initial insights about the W16 surface.

Mercedes has indicated that their Formula 1 vehicle for the 2025 season will probably closely resemble their present competitor, as they revealed initial design insights about the W16.

During an exclusive interaction with a few media outlets, including Crash.net, at the Belgian Grand Prix, Andrew Shovlin, who is in charge of trackside engineering for Mercedes, shared preliminary insights about the team's Formula 1 car for the upcoming season.

Shovlin disclosed the ongoing issues that Mercedes is striving to resolve with their present W15 competitor.

"Shovlin, in replying to an inquiry from Crash.net, highlighted that the primary areas where they lag behind—especially in hot weather on tracks that are tough on the rear—are in comparison to the McLarens and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team."

In both Budapest and Austria, it was evident. Our race pace in Budapest was notably closer. This suggests we've advanced in recent races. At Silverstone, for example, our performance was strong.

"I believe the primary flaw lies in that aspect, however, it's worth noting that all teams are working on improving their vehicles. If your development pace isn't quicker than your competitors', you're likely to fall behind rapidly."

"Thus, the emphasis will invariably be on the extent of development achievable. Our visibility extends only to about a month or six weeks ahead, as that's the limit of our forecasting capacity within the wind tunnel context."

"The uncertainty lies in whether our capability to continue producing results from the wind tunnel, alongside our vehicle dynamics and mechanical design teams, will persist."

"The team is expected to maintain their momentum and enhance their performance as the year ends, ideally. Although we have promising concepts, there's a significant journey from conceptualization to the actual implementation of tangible components that can be added to the vehicle to increase its speed."

Following an underwhelming beginning to the 2024 season, Mercedes has experienced a significant revival in competitiveness, securing victories in three out of the four races leading up to the summer break.

In response to Crash.net's inquiry about whether Mercedes intends to maintain their vigorous development strategy throughout the latter part of the season, Shovlin stated, "Our commitment remains to relentlessly pursue every bit of performance possible at the factory. If that's what you refer to as aggressive development, then yes, we are fully dedicated to enhancing our performance."

As the year progresses, conversations will need to focus on whether to invest in the current vehicle or hold off for the next model. The imposed budget limit necessitates a balance between the benefits of performance improvements and financial expenditures.

"Our goal is to be competing at the forefront next year. Therefore, we're committed to making choices that will enable this objective. Regarding the wind tunnel, there comes a time when you gradually redirect your resources from the present car to the car planned for next year.

"It's likely that all teams have begun their efforts on the car for the next season. However, the speed at which they reallocate their resources plays a role. Moreover, teams might discover that strategies effective for this year's car could also be beneficial for next year's model, or the other way around."

"Thus, the obstacle we're facing in 2026 is an entirely unique entity compared to what we're dealing with now."

Shovlin acknowledged that Mercedes still has some critical choices to make regarding specific components that will extend into 2025.

"He clarified that decisions regarding whether the chassis or gearbox would remain unchanged have not yet been made."

The truth of the matter is that altering everything might not be feasible. Currently, we are in the process of assessing various options to identify the most effective way to maximize your investment within the budget limit.

"Nonetheless, in my view, in terms of aerodynamics, our car, along with the majority of cars out there, will represent a development of the current models. There will be notable modifications, but altering the car's fundamental design to the extent that it significantly impacts its performance in aerodynamic tests, which would then need to be compensated for, is something I believe most will avoid."

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