Why Mercedes still has a part to play in F1’s 2025 running order

OPINION: Although Mercedes had a torrid weekend last time out in Jeddah, its otherwise strong start to the 2025 Formula 1 season proves that it is still in for a strong year as teams look to close the gap to leaders McLaren

Quite rightly, McLaren has captured many of the plaudits for the step it made during its winter of content – having put together a significantly rapid car that has also demonstrated a light touch with the tyres over the course of a race distance. It's no wonder the other teams have put the papaya-tinged outfit on a pedestal.

It's also fair to say that McLaren perhaps, for a variety of reasons, hasn't quite made the most of that. Lando Norris has erred in crunch situations, while Oscar Piastri's Melbourne slip-and-slide has pegged his championship lead back. Saturdays have also been fitful, as the MCL39s have been hit-or-miss in qualifying trim – something that has let Max Verstappen chalk up a couple of pole positions in a car that is viewed as comparatively problematic.

In this article

Jake Boxall-Legge

Formula 1

Mercedes

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Author Jake Boxall-Legge

Jake studied engineering at university, as his original ambition was to design racing cars. He was bad at that, and thus decided to write about them instead with an equally limited skillset. The above article is a demonstration of that. In his spare time, Jake enjoys people, places, and things.