Mercedes aims to 'build on solid start' in Japan and beyond

Mercedes heads to Suzuka circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix, the third round of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, aiming to build on a promising start to the season.

While the team acknowledges the need for further development to challenge for victories, they are focused on maximizing their current package in F1’s upcoming triple-header.

Team Principal Toto Wolff expressed optimism about the W16’s performance, but also cautioned against complacency, given the competitive nature of the field.

Mercedes launched its 2025 campaign with a pair of strong performances in Australia and China, driven by the W16’s reliability and the skill of its drivers, George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli.

In Australia, Russell capitalized on tricky wet-dry conditions to secure a P3 finish, joining McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the podium, while Antonelli impressed in his F1 debut, battling from 16th on the grid to finish P4 despite a penalty that was later overturned.

The team’s momentum continued in China, where Russell delivered another P3, marking Mercedes’ 300th podium as a works team, after a brilliant qualifying lap secured him a front-row start alongside pole-sitter Oscar Piastri.

Antonelli, despite suffering floor damage from lap one, fought back to P8, a result later upgraded to P6 following the disqualification of both of Ferrari’s cars, adding valuable points to Mercedes’ haul.

Overall, these results have positioned the Brackley squad second in the Constructors’ Championship after two races, underscoring their best start in four years.

Building on a Solid Foundation

In Mercedes’ Japanese Grand Prix preview, Wolff highlighted the team’s promising start.

“We will be aiming to build on our solid start to the season in the upcoming triple-header,” he said.

“The W16 has proved a stable and consistent platform so far, and a car that the drivers feel confident in. That led to good performances in Australia and China, and our best start to a season since 2021.”

This stability has provided a reliable base for Russell and Antonelli to extract performance. However, Wolff remains pragmatic about the challenges ahead, acknowledging that closing the gap to the front-runners will require more than their current pace.

“We know we have more performance to find if we are to challenge at the very front race though,” he added. “Development isn’t the work of a moment either.

“The races in Japan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia will therefore be about maximising what we have right now.

“Our competitors will undoubtedly bounce back from the recent double-header, too. Therefore, we will need to be at our best if we want to continue our promising start.”

Driver Dynamics and the Suzuka Challenge

The iconic Suzuka circuit, known for its high-speed corners and demanding layout, will serve as a critical test for Mercedes’ drivers and especially for Antonelli who has never visited the legendary Japanese venue.

However, Wolff underscored the youngster’s adaptability.

“Suzuka, with its fast sweeps and elevation change provide a proper test for both driver and car,” he said. “This will be Kimi’s first experience there and, whilst it will be another new challenge for him, he will be looking forward to it.

"He has handled everything thrown at him so far, and we’re looking forward to seeing his continued development.

“George meanwhile has enjoyed his strongest start to a season in his F1 career, delivering with maturity, consistency, and speed,” added the Mercedes chief.

“He is performing exactly how we knew he would as the senior driver of the works Mercedes team. “He will be looking to continue in that form in Japan this weekend.”

With Russell in top form – boasting back-to-back podiums – and Antonelli showing promise, Mercedes heads to Japan with a blend of experience and youthful potential, aiming to maximize their W16’s capabilities on one of F1’s most revered tracks.

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