‘Area of focus’: The director of Mercedes points out the ‘big gap’ to F1 rivals that must be fixed ahead of the 2025 season

After a mixed 2024 campaign, Mercedes is focusing on overcoming critical performance issues to mount a stronger challenge for the Constructors’ Championship in 2025.

While the team secured four victories and made significant strides with the W14 concept, they still fell short, finishing fourth behind Red Bull and over 100 points adrift of their main rivals.

Tyre Overheating a Major Focus for Mercedes

Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has identified tyre overheating as a key area for improvement. Speaking to Autosport, Shovlin highlighted the team’s struggles with rear tyre management, particularly in high-temperature conditions, as a significant performance gap compared to Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren.

“Rear overheating, that’s an area where I don’t think we are as good as McLaren, Red Bull, or Ferrari,” Shovlin explained. “We’re looking at what we can do to get temperature out of the rear tyres—whether that’s putting less in or taking more out. On Sundays, this has created a big gap to the front in some races, particularly at tracks like Singapore.”

The team’s strong showing in cooler conditions, such as at the Las Vegas GP, underscores the importance of addressing this issue for consistent performance throughout the season.

2024 Recap: Highlights and Struggles

• Season Turning Point: A front wing update introduced at the Monaco Grand Prix improved car balance and competitiveness, leading to strong performances in Montreal, Austria, Silverstone, and Belgium.
• Key Performances: George Russell dominated the Las Vegas GP, while Lewis Hamilton climbed from P10 to secure second place, demonstrating the car’s potential in ideal conditions.
• Challenges: Post-summer form dipped with a flawed floor upgrade on the W15, coupled with the persistent tyre overheating issues.

2025 Development Goals

Mercedes is setting its sights on not only solving tyre overheating but also leveraging technical innovations from 2024. The team’s progress with an “aero-electric” front wing has the potential to provide a competitive edge over Ferrari and Red Bull.

• Shovlin on Priorities: “Any work in tyre management is twofold—reducing heat input and improving heat dissipation. Addressing this will be critical for closing the performance gap on race days.”

Competition Outlook for 2025

• Red Bull: Despite Max Verstappen securing his fourth consecutive title, Red Bull struggled with overall car performance, finishing with the third-best package.
• Ferrari: Charles Leclerc expressed optimism about Ferrari’s 2025 title chances, bolstered by the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, who aims to secure his eighth championship and cement his legacy as the all-time great.
• McLaren: The Woking-based team, like Mercedes, discovered a dominant technical feature in 2024, potentially giving them an advantage heading into the new season.

With a renewed focus on tyre management and a promising technical foundation, Mercedes is looking to return to the forefront of F1 in 2025. However, fierce competition from Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren means the battle for supremacy will be as intense as ever.

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