Mercedes unveiled its new W16 automobile in a digital launch on Monday, gearing up for preseason testing and a recent chapter following the departure of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Replacing the 40-year-old Hamilton, now at Ferrari, is 18-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli, who joins Britain’s George Russell and skilled reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, a former Mercedes racer.
“We open an exciting new era in the story of our team and Mercedes-AMG motorsport in 2025. We are building on the incredible legacy of our heritage, and we can’t wait to go racing,” mentioned workforce principal Toto Wolff.
“We have made gains in the off-season, but we will only know where we stand come the first race in Australia.”
Wolff mentioned Russell, the “senior driver” beginning his seventh season within the sport, would assist lead the workforce ahead whereas Antonelli confronted a rookie 12 months by which “there will inevitably be ups and downs.”
Mercedes, winners of a document eight constructors’ championships in a row between 2014 and 2021, completed fourth final 12 months.
Technical director James Allison mentioned that whereas secure guidelines on the chassis aspect made large positive factors in lap time more durable to search out, “we have been concentrating on making enhancements within the areas that held us again final 12 months.
“Our major focus has been on dialing out the W15’s slight reluctance to show in sluggish corners, together with the imbalance in tire temperatures that made the automobile inconsistent from session to session.
“We are pleased with our progress over the winter, and we’re looking forward to finding out where we stack up against everyone else.”
Allison anticipated to see a number of winners this season, probably greater than the 4 groups and 7 drivers that received final 12 months.
The season begins in Australia on March 16, with Mercedes-powered McLaren searching for to defend its constructors’ title whereas Red Bull’s Max Verstappen chases a fifth drivers’ crown in a row.
Source: www.dailysabah.com