Wolff admits Mercedes lagging rivals ahead of 2025 season

Mercedes boss believes team starts F1 2025 season behind Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren as new era begins without Hamilton

Mercedes faces an uphill battle at the season opener. Team Principal Toto Wolff has acknowledged that the eight-time constructors' champions will likely trail their main rivals as Formula 1 returns to action in Australia this weekend.

The Brackley-based outfit enters a new chapter without Lewis Hamilton for the first time since 2012, fielding a refreshed driver lineup of George Russell alongside rookie Kimi Antonelli.

Testing suggests competitive hierarchy

Pre-season testing in Bahrain indicated McLaren has emerged as early favorites with impressive long-run pace during the three-day session.

"Our competitors finished 2024 strongly and we know that Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren in particular, should have a performance advantage over us initially,"

Wolff said in Mercedes' official preview for the Australian Grand Prix.

The Austrian team boss pointed to the strong form shown by these rivals but maintained Mercedes has made progress with their new W16 challenger.

Positive driver feedback

Despite acknowledging the competitive disadvantage, Wolff found encouragement in feedback from both Russell and Antonelli during testing.

"We can be pleased with the work we have done in the off-season, and the test in Bahrain,"

he said.

"Both drivers commented favourably on the W16 after the three days, and we seem to have made improvements."

Wolff emphasized that real performance comparisons will only emerge once cars hit the track in competitive conditions.

"Of course, the only thing that matters is how we measure up against the stopwatch relative to our competitors. We will certainly begin to get a clearer picture on that this weekend."

New era begins

Mercedes marked this transitional period with a promotional video titled "Every Dream Needs A Team," signaling the beginning of their post-Hamilton chapter.

"Australia is always a great place for a race. The circuit is challenging for the drivers and a real test for the car,"

Wolff said.

"The fans are always out in force and Melbourne is a fantastic venue to kick off the new season."

The team principal drew parallels to his first race with Mercedes in 2013, noting a similar "palpable sense of renewed energy" as the team embarks on its latest evolution.

Youth-focused future

Mercedes' driver lineup represents a significant shift toward youth, featuring Russell alongside Italian teenager Antonelli, both products of the team's junior program.

"With George and Kimi, two homegrown talents from our junior programme graduates, we have a strong driver line-up that combines experience, youth, and raw speed,"

Wolff stated.

"It is an exciting duo that will lead us into our next era."

This weekend's Australian Grand Prix will provide the first real indication of where Mercedes stands in Formula 1's competitive hierarchy as they begin their journey with a refreshed team identity and ambitious long-term vision.