2025 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[SB15]

I think Russell can win the title this year

Unfortunately, Mercedes are in no mans land. Zero chance of any titles coming to Merc this year. They’ve made a step, but Max & Macca are too far away. Great drive from KA today.

This race again wasn't representative because of the one stop. Bahrain will finally give us a representative session about how the pecking order stacks up. The Mercedes isn't working that well in cooler conditions which is very positive sign because it means that it isn't picky about temperatures vs the W15 and also they're bringing upgrades to address the low speed corners, brakes, and tyre warmup issues which is extremely crucial to a circuit like Bahrain. So I sense their upgrades will be mainly on the suspension (front/rear) and inner brake drum redesign.

[AR3-GP]

I think Russell can win the title this year

Unfortunately, Mercedes are in no mans land. Zero chance of any titles coming to Merc this year. They’ve made a step, but Max & Macca are too far away. Great drive from KA today.

This race again wasn't representative because of the one stop. Bahrain will finally give us a representative session about how the pecking order stacks up. The Mercedes isn't working that well in cooler conditions which is very positive sign because it means that it isn't picky about temperatures vs the W15 and also they're bringing upgrades to address the low speed corners, brakes, and tyre warmup issues which is extremely crucial to a circuit like Bahrain. So I sense their upgrades will be mainly on the suspension (front/rear) and inner brake drum redesign.

Russell:

However, with a view to the top, Russell fears that Mercedes' gap will tend to grow in the coming race weekends. The reason: "I don't think McLaren has shown everything so far. The first three races were all quite cool - we all wear jackets here, and it was fresh last week too," the Briton looks at the weather.

"If we then drive in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at 35 degrees, they will probably be really strong," fears Russell, who also remembers the recent past with regard to his own team: "We, on the other hand, have traditionally been better in cooler conditions." Like Russell's victory in the cold night race in Las Vegas last November. "That's why I'm keeping my feet on the ground," he concludes, concluding that Mercedes may have to tighten its belt a little in the short term.

https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel ... n-25040614

[Lasssept]

[SB15]

Unfortunately, Mercedes are in no mans land. Zero chance of any titles coming to Merc this year. They’ve made a step, but Max & Macca are too far away. Great drive from KA today.

This race again wasn't representative because of the one stop. Bahrain will finally give us a representative session about how the pecking order stacks up. The Mercedes isn't working that well in cooler conditions which is very positive sign because it means that it isn't picky about temperatures vs the W15 and also they're bringing upgrades to address the low speed corners, brakes, and tyre warmup issues which is extremely crucial to a circuit like Bahrain. So I sense their upgrades will be mainly on the suspension (front/rear) and inner brake drum redesign.

Russell:

However, with a view to the top, Russell fears that Mercedes' gap will tend to grow in the coming race weekends. The reason: "I don't think McLaren has shown everything so far. The first three races were all quite cool - we all wear jackets here, and it was fresh last week too," the Briton looks at the weather.

"If we then drive in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at 35 degrees, they will probably be really strong," fears Russell, who also remembers the recent past with regard to his own team: "We, on the other hand, have traditionally been better in cooler conditions." Like Russell's victory in the cold night race in Las Vegas last November. "That's why I'm keeping my feet on the ground," he concludes, concluding that Mercedes may have to tighten its belt a little in the short term.

https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel ... n-25040614

Russell is either being pessimistic or this news article is not being truthful because they would've struggled in Australia and China qualifying if that was the case. The Redbull looks like it love cooler conditions more than Mercedes at this point.

[Matt2725]

This race again wasn't representative because of the one stop. Bahrain will finally give us a representative session about how the pecking order stacks up. The Mercedes isn't working that well in cooler conditions which is very positive sign because it means that it isn't picky about temperatures vs the W15 and also they're bringing upgrades to address the low speed corners, brakes, and tyre warmup issues which is extremely crucial to a circuit like Bahrain. So I sense their upgrades will be mainly on the suspension (front/rear) and inner brake drum redesign.

Russell:

However, with a view to the top, Russell fears that Mercedes' gap will tend to grow in the coming race weekends. The reason: "I don't think McLaren has shown everything so far. The first three races were all quite cool - we all wear jackets here, and it was fresh last week too," the Briton looks at the weather.

"If we then drive in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at 35 degrees, they will probably be really strong," fears Russell, who also remembers the recent past with regard to his own team: "We, on the other hand, have traditionally been better in cooler conditions." Like Russell's victory in the cold night race in Las Vegas last November. "That's why I'm keeping my feet on the ground," he concludes, concluding that Mercedes may have to tighten its belt a little in the short term.

https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel ... n-25040614

Russell is either being pessimistic or this news article is not being truthful because they would've struggled in Australia and China qualifying if that was the case. The Redbull looks like it love cooler conditions more than Mercedes at this point.

A lot of looking to last season in George's comments. He's playing down his/the team's chances which is fair enough for now. But I think they'll be in contention for a podium at the very least.

[toraabe]

How many seconds did Antonelli 'eat up' to Russel , to finish just behind ?
The kid looks the real deal. Easily the best of the newbies.

Don't forget that he has been driving thousan6if kilometer in the former Cars in which is allowed. They wanted him to be as prepared as possible. And. Basically no mistakes. One in Australia. That's it. Just impressive

[toraabe]

How many seconds did Antonelli 'eat up' to Russel , to finish just behind ?
The kid looks the real deal. Easily the best of the newbies.

Don't forget that he has been driving thousan6if kilometer in the former Cars in which is allowed. They wanted him to be as prepared as possible. And. Basically no mistakes. One in Australia. That's it. Just impressive
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/01/ ... -f1-debut/

[Lasssept]

[SB15]

Their floor edge is pretty basic compared to others which makes since for them to Bahrain. Any word on the mechanical updates?

[Mansell89]

Quite excited to see Kimi in Bahrain- first time we see him at a track where he’s got extensive F1 experience from testing and I think he should be very good in the race this weekend.

Interested to see how the Merc fares pace wise this weekend. I think we might see a dominant McLaren here but you want to be hoping Merc can fight off Ferrari and Max.

[OverheatedTurbo]

Their floor edge is pretty basic compared to others which makes since for them to Bahrain. Any word on the mechanical updates?

If the update is about curing low speed performance, maybe it’s related to CoP shifts when slowing down to increase grip at the front and reduce understeer? I don’t know if just the floor edge will help with that, but I’m also not an aero engineer so they probably know what they are doing. I just hope they can hit the ground running with these updates.