Mercedes confirms launch date of their 2025 F1 car
Ahead of the upcoming season, Mercedes have confirmed that they will launch their brand-new car on February 24 in Bahrain, two days before the three-day pre-season testing gets underway at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Following the shock departure of the seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes is set to embark on the new season with a key change to its driver line-up. George Russell will continue to compete for the Brackley-based outfit, but he will be joined by 18-year-old Italian sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The eight-time world champion team has now revealed that they will show off their brand-new car, the W16 on February 24, only two days before the pre-season testing kick off in Manama.
The Anglo-German outfit is expected to complete a shakedown the following day in Bahrain to check the basic parameters of the new car before things get serious on the following three days.
It is believed that Aston Martin will join Mercedes on 25 February as they also plan to stage a filming day at the Bahrain International Circuit before the three-day pre-season testing kicks of on 26 February.
The Sporting Regulations allow teams to carry out two filming days during a calendar year when they are permitted to cover up to 200 kilometres. These short sessions are typically used for a ‘shakedown’ to ensure the cars are functioning correctly and to address any initial issues before pre-season testing.
It means that Mercedes will use a show car or their 2024 machine when teams show off their new livery during the inaugural launch event that will take place in London on February 18.
As for the Bahrain International Circuit, it has hosted pre-season testing on six separate occasions since 2009, with its consistent weather conditions, mixture of high and low-speed corners, and two long straights enabling F1 teams to gather maximum data for the campaign ahead.
