Mercedes plans significant changes to its 2025 F1 car

Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has indicated that there will be “significant changes” to the Brackley-based outfit’s 2025 F1 car, despite the regulations remaining stable.

Formula 1 cars are going to look significantly different from 2026 with new rules dictating that the machines are smaller, lighter and more agile.

Although the sport will continue with V6 turbo-hybrid engines in 2026, the all-new rule book will provide for a reduction in the weight and size of the cars, significant levels of active aero to reduce drag on the straights.

The rule change means that the next season will be the final year under the current technical regulations before major changes are introduced for the 2026 season.

Although Mercedes has faced challenges with the current generation of car in the last two years, the Brackley-based outfit has shown impressive improvements recently, winning three out of the last four races.

Mercedes’ trackside engineer director, Andrew Shovlin has reveald that while several decisions on whether to keep the current chassis or gearbox are still pending, the eight-time world champion team is about to make some key tweaks to its car.

“We haven’t made decisions yet on does the chassis stay the same? Does the gearbox stay the same? The reality is you probably can’t change everything.

“We’re at a stage now where we’re trying to evaluate those to look for the best return for your spend in the cost cap. However, I think, aerodynamically, our car and most people’s cars will be an evolution of what we have today.”

“There’ll be significant changes on there but you won’t want to change the architecture of the car and take a big hit in the wind tunnel that you then have to recover. I don’t think many people will be doing that,” Shovlin noted.