Mercedes W16

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Mercedes-AMG F1 W16 E Performance
Kimi Antonelli driving the W16 during the Japanese Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
Designer(s)
  • James Allison (Technical Director)
  • Simone Resta (Deputy Technical Director)
  • John Owen (Car Design Director)
  • Jarrod Murphy (Aerodynamics Director)
  • David Nelson (Performance Director)
  • Giacomo Tortora (Engineering Director)
  • Ashley Way (Chief Engineer)
  • Emiliano Giangiulio (Head of Vehicle Performance)
  • Hywel Thomas (Lead Power Unit Designer)
PredecessorMercedes W15
Technical specifications
Suspension (front)Carbon fibre wishbone and pushrod-activated springs and dampers
Suspension (rear)Carbon fibre wishbone and pushrod-activated springs and dampers
Lengthover 5,000 mm (197 in)
Width2,000 mm (79 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
EngineMercedes-AMG F1 M16 E Performance
1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motorMotor Generator Unit Kinetic (MGU-K) and thermal energy recovery systems
TransmissionMercedes 8-speed hydraulic actuated semi automatic sequential gearbox, + 1 reverse gear
Weight800 kg (including driver, excluding fuel)
FuelPetronas Primax
LubricantsPetronas Tutela
Tyres
with BBS forged magnesium wheels: 18"
Competition history
Notable entrantsMercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
Notable drivers
Debut2025 Australian Grand Prix
First win2025 Canadian Grand Prix
Last win2025 Canadian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
141714

The Mercedes-AMG F1 W16 E Performance, commonly known as the Mercedes W16, is a Formula One racing car designed and built by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team currently competing in the 2025 Formula One World Championship.[1] It is being driven by George Russell, who is in his fourth consecutive season with the team, partnering rookie driver Kimi Antonelli, who replaces seven-time World Drivers' Champion Lewis Hamilton, who departed for Ferrari following the end of the 2024 season.[2] As such, this is the first Mercedes F1 car since the F1 W03, from the 2012 season, not to be driven by Hamilton. It has taken one win, seven podiums, one pole position and four fastest laps.

Background

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W16 being assembled in the pit building prior to the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix
The W16 is driven by George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli.
Further information: 2025 Formula One World Championship § Technical regulations

The W16 is the successor to the W15 from the previous year that took four victories, namely in Austria, Great Britain, Belgium, and Las Vegas. Despite taking four wins the previous season, the W15 was criticised by driver George Russell who labeled it as "the most inconsistent" Mercedes car the team has ever had.[3] The team finished the season in fourth in the World Constructors' Championship, trailing behind Red Bull by 121 points but 374 points ahead of Aston Martin.[4]

Initial design

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Mercedes has traditionally struggled during the ground-effect era from the 2022 season starting with the W13 with its "no sidepod" philosophy. With the W14, the car's suspension design hindered the team's ability to maximize the effectiveness of its underbody aerodynamics. To compensate, the team had to raise the car's ride height throughout the season, which put them at a disadvantage compared to their competitors. The W16 appeared to solve the suspension problems but it produced a knock-on effect of inducing inconsistent balance.[5]

Technical Director James Allison has been "very involved" in the design of the W16.[6]

Complete Formula One results

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Key
Key
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver Second place
Bronze Third place
Green Other points position
Blue Other classified position
Not classified, finished (NC)
Purple Not classified, retired (Ret)
Red Did not qualify (DNQ)
Black Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Excluded (EX)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Withdrawn (WD)
Did not enter (empty cell)
Annotation Meaning
P Pole position
F Fastest lap
Superscript
number 		Points-scoring position
in sprint
Year Entrant Power unit Tyres Driver name Grands Prix Points WCC pos.
AUS CHN JPN BHR SAU MIA EMI MON ESP CAN AUT GBR BEL HUN NED ITA AZE SIN USA MXC SAP LVG QAT ABU
2025 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes-AMG

F1 M16 E Performance 1.6 V6 t

P United Kingdom George Russell 3 34 5 2 5 34 7 11 4 1PF 5 10 5 3F 236* 3rd*
Italy Kimi Antonelli 4 67 6F 11 6 67 Ret 18 Ret 3 Ret Ret 16F 10
Source:

* Season still in progress.

References

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  1. ^ "Mercedes-AMG F1: W16 Launch Date Confirmed". Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
  2. ^ Edmondson, Laurence (31 August 2024). "Why Andrea Kimi Antonelli is replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes". ESPN. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  3. ^ Noble, Jonathan (1 November 2024). "Mercedes car the "most inconsistent" the team has ever had, says Russell". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  4. ^ Hart, Becky (21 December 2024). "End of year report: Mercedes – An inconsistent season and a bittersweet farewell for Hamilton". Formula 1. Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  5. ^ Boxall-Legge, Jake (18 February 2025). "How Mercedes aims to avoid the "traps" it has fallen into with recent F1 car designs". Autosport. Archived from the original on 6 March 2025. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  6. ^ McDonagh, Connor (26 February 2025). "James Allison "very involved" in new Mercedes W16 as it hits the track in Bahrain". Crash.net. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
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