Following Ferrari, top team Mercedes is also introducing the first major upgrades to their W16. Technical Director James Allison reveals that the German racing team aims to implement the updates during the Grand Prix weekend in Imola. However, the Briton immediately warns that Mercedes cannot afford to focus solely on the 2025 challenger.
With two podium finishes already, thanks to Mr. Consistency George Russell, and a second place in the constructors’ championship, Mercedes has not had a bad start to 2025. However, the German racing team hopes to bridge the gap to the stronger McLaren, and is therefore bringing a first major upgrade to Imola.
“We certainly plan to bring a reasonable amount of stuff for Imola,” Technical Director James Allison reveals to Motorsport.com. “But there are also some things for this weekend (in Bahrain). Nothing as flashy or as visible as a floor. But things we would like to know how they perform.” With this, Allison seems to be referring to the new floor for the GP Bahrain of competitor Ferrari.
Focus on 2026
In 2026, a new regulation will come into effect, meaning teams cannot afford to focus solely on the 2025 car. This includes Mercedes. “(The current generation of cars) only have 21 races left and then they’re done. We’re trying to do as much as possible to the car in this first part of the year and maybe we can do something after that, but it’s mainly about delivering work for the future now.”
Does this mean the W16 will not run any faster later in the season? “Fortunately, even without changing the geometry of the car, there is still quite a bit of lap time to be gained by just setting up well,” concludes Allison.
