Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is playing his cards close to his chest as the team prepares for what could be the final season of the current Formula 1 era. With major design changes coming in 2026, which will introduce a new generation of cars, Wolff and his team are hoping to make the most of the remaining time with the existing race machines.
While Mercedes once dominated the sport with eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships, the introduction of the current generation of cars in 2022 has seen a dip in performance. The team has struggled to match the pace of its rivals, with only a handful of race wins to show for their efforts in the past few seasons. However, there is a silver lining. Mercedes managed to clinch four wins last year, and on some weekends, they were clearly the quickest on track. This has given Wolff a glimmer of hope that the team can finish the current era on a high before the big changes come in 2026.
Despite this, Wolff remains tight-lipped about his team’s expectations for the 2025 season. He’s cautious not to make bold predictions after previous disappointments. When asked about his hopes for Mercedes’ performance, Wolff stated: “These cars are so complicated to hit the sweet spot, that we’ve only done it on a few occasions. We were ultra-dominant in Las Vegas, but at other tracks, we were unable to contest for a podium.”
He further emphasised that while Mercedes’ results have been inconsistent, he would prefer to focus on the upcoming pre-season testing to assess the car’s balance and performance. “I’d rather not talk too much and see how we can perform in the tests,” Wolff explained. “We need to address some of those balance issues, get on top of the tyres, and then we shall see.”
Looking forward, Wolff expressed confidence in his drivers, particularly George Russell, who he believes is “ready to fight for the championship.” However, Wolff made it clear that for Russell and teammate Kimi Raikkonen to have a genuine shot at the title, Mercedes must provide them with a car that is competitive enough to challenge the frontrunners.
With the 2025 season fast approaching, all eyes will be on Mercedes to see whether they can fine-tune their car and make a strong push for the championship. The stakes are high as the team looks to capitalise on the final season of the current Formula 1 era before the sport undergoes its biggest shake-up in years.
