Toto Wolff, Mercedes ready to write the ‘next chapter’ starting at Australian Grand Prix

Mercedes begins a new era at the F1 Australian Grand Prix

When the Formula 1 schedule kicks off this weekend in Melbourne it marks a new season for the sport, a new era for Mercedes.

The Silver Arrows will begin the year with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as their driver pairing, and a few pit stalls down will be Lewis Hamilton, the driver who helped deliver eight Constructors’ Championships, clad in red.

Embarking on his first season with Ferrari.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is one of the major storylines to watch this season, but so too is the new dawn at Mercedes. Speaking in the team’s media preview of the Australian Grand Prix, Team Principal Toto Wolff addressed the “next chapter” in the team’s legacy.

“We will write the opening lines of our next chapter at the Australian Grand Prix. It’s an exciting time as we build upon the incredible legacy of the Mercedes brand in motorsport,” said Wolff. “We will be striving to set new benchmarks and fulfill new dreams in the years ahead. That will take every single one of us: from the drivers to the mechanics, engineers, everyone at Brackley and Brixworth and, of course, our fans.

”That journey is the inspiration for our season launch film. It is a celebration of everything that makes Mercedes what it is: Innovation; Pushing the boundaries; The pioneering spirit of our founders. The same DNA that drives us forward today. With George and Kimi, two homegrown talents from our junior program graduates, we have a strong driver line-up that combines experience, youth, and raw speed. It is an exciting duo that will lead us into our next era.”

Wolff noted that Mercedes may be behind their three biggest rivals to start the year, but he believes the team has a good foundation with the W16, their challenger for the 2025 season.

”As a team, we had an uphill challenge over the winter. Our competitors finished 2024 strongly and we know that Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren in particular, should have a performance advantage over us initially. We can be pleased with the work we have done in the off-season, and the test in Bahrain,” continued Wolff. “Both drivers commented favorably on the W16 after the three days, and we seem to have made improvements. 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.”

Like many in the sport, Wolff has a special fondness for the Australian Grand Prix. From the fans that line the circuit and welcome the drivers to the track on the “Melbourne Walk,” to the circuit itself, Wolff and Mercedes love coming to Melbourne.

“Australia is always a great place for a race. The circuit is challenging for the drivers and a real test for the car. The fans are always out in force and Melbourne is a fantastic venue to kick off the new season. I remember my first race with the team there in 2013; we held a photoshoot with our drivers on St Kilda Beach and there was a palpable sense of renewed energy,” said Wolff. “There is also always a start of term feel in the paddock and it therefore feels like an appropriate location to launch our next chapter.

“As George says at the end of the [Mercedes launch] film: ‘This is just the beginning.’ And we are excited for what lies ahead.”