Mercedes announces 'revolutionary' first with 2025 F1 car

Mercedes has announced it is aiming to build parts of its 2025 W16 F1 car from sustainable carbon fibre composite materials - a first for grand prix racing. 

The first F1 car to use carbon fibre for the chassis was the 1981 McLaren MP4-1, with the material being used ever since to create the cars, with its strength and light-weight design proving ideal. 

Mercedes has estimated that around 75% of all the materials used on its race cars are some form of carbon fibre composite, and so is pushing to try and reduce the carbon footprint of the team and the car as F1 heads for a more sustainable future - including 100% sustainable fuel from the 2026 rules reset.

The team is hoping to become net carbon zero by 2040. 

Carbon fibre composites are formed by approximately 60% fibres and 40% resin, with the fibres impregnated by the resin, which following curing, creates the carbon fibre that is used on the cars.

Mercedes has been working closely with the FIA to follow the technical regulations to try and demonstrate that sustainable carbon fibre composites are able to withstand the same testing conditions for use on the race cars, including in the laboratory before on-track testing can begin. 

Both the fibres and the resin must be addressed before the new composite material can be created, with Mercedes working closely with team partners such as INEOS on the project.

"When you combine performance and innovation, you create progress. I am proud to lead a team of problem solvers who are committed to driving sustainable change," explained boss Toto Wolff.

"I would like to thank our partners for supporting our drive for material innovation, and to the FIA for enabling us to test these materials. 

"Collectively we are moving the dial on sustainable products and demonstrating that Formula 1 continues to be the fastest laboratory in the world."