In 2025, the Australian Grand Prix will once again open the new Formula 1 season after a six-year break, and the race will be held at Melbourne's Albert Park for the 28th time. Mercedes drivers have won it five times in the past, but George Russell has only climbed to the podium there, but has not won, and for 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, this will be his debut Grand Prix.
As always at the start of the season, Toto Wolff, the team's principal, speaks of its fighting spirit, but admits that in the first races the advantage will be on the side of the rivals. But Mercedes is not going to give up…
Toto Wolff: “We will be writing a new chapter in our history at the Australian Grand Prix. These are exciting times and we will be building on the incredibly rich motorsport tradition of the Mercedes brand. We will strive to set new standards and strive to achieve new dreams in the coming years.
It will take the efforts of every single one of us, from the drivers to the mechanics and engineers, in short, everyone who works at the Brackley and Brixworth bases. Of course, the support of our fans is also very important.
The upcoming journey has inspired a film to mark the start of the season. It is about everything that makes Mercedes what it is: innovation, the desire to push the boundaries of what is possible, the pioneering spirit that distinguished our founders.
All of this drives us forward today. The team has a strong line-up that combines experience, youth and natural speed – George and Kimi, two talented graduates of our youth programme. With this great duo, we are entering a new era.
The team had to solve very difficult problems during the winter period. Our rivals were strong in 2024 and we know that Ferrari, Red Bull and especially McLaren will have an advantage over us at the beginning of the new season.
But we are pleased with the work we have done in the off-season and at the test in Bahrain. Both drivers gave positive comments on the W16 car after three days on track and it looks like we have made some improvements.
Of course, the only thing that matters is the results that the stopwatch records and how they compare to the results of the rivals. This weekend we will definitely get a clearer picture of the balance of power.
Australia has always been a great place to hold a race. The Albert Park circuit is challenging for drivers and the car is really tested there. Melbourne has great fans and it is a great track to open the new season.
I remember my first race with the team in this city in 2013; we had a photo shoot on the beach and you could feel the energy in the team back then. There’s always a special atmosphere in the paddock at the start of the season too, and as George says at the end of the film, ‘This is just the beginning’. We’re excited about everything that’s to come.”
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