'We are Mercedes' - Wolff delivers crucial warning as huge change approaches

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has warned his own outfit that it "cannot afford" to start the upcoming season on the back foot, ahead of the new power unit regulations next year. 

This year is a complicated one for all 10 teams, with 2026 marking the start of the new regulations. As a result, each team must decide during 2025 when it will switch its focus. 

For most teams, this year's car and next year's will be worked on simultaneously, making any mistakes in the development of its 2025 challenger hugely costly. 

Mercedes has made bad starts to the last three seasons, although recovered to win four races in the most recently completed campaign.

With the 2025 season starting this weekend in Australia, Wolff recognises that it cannot start badly, due to upgrades being a huge challenge with the new regulations just around the corner.

"The first six months [of 2024] cost us the most points because we didn't get the car going," Wolff told OE24. 

"In the second half of the year we won four races anyway and were among the front runners. Our aim is still to compete for world championships. But it's incredibly close between the four teams that can win this year. You can be first or eighth. 

"The difficulty will be to develop the current car further and on the other hand to look ahead to next year with the huge change. You have to be very flexible." 

For a team like Mercedes, timing the switch to focus solely on next year is even more difficult, given it is a power unit supplier. 

Timing the focus switch correctly will likely be one of Wolff's biggest challenges in 2025, especially when the Brackley-based team has a reputation to maintain. 

Wolff is not prepared to sacrifice this year and is aware of the team's expectations to win races and titles, adding to the pressure of the W16 not requiring significant upgrades which could impact its 2026 development.

"That requires a lot of tact," added Wolff. "We are Mercedes. Our aim is always to drive for victories and titles. Given our reputation, we cannot afford to turn things around in the spring."