Mercedes has a rich history in Formula 1, starting with its works entries in 1954 and 1955. In both seasons, Juan Manuel Fangio won the world championship with the German team. After that, Mercedes stepped away as a constructor for a long period, although it remained active as an engine supplier, including to McLaren. In 2010, the team returned to the grid as a constructor after acquiring Brawn GP.

Between 2014 and 2020, during the hybrid era, Mercedes dominated Formula 1 with seven drivers’ titles and seven constructors’ championships. Lewis Hamilton won six of those titles, while Nico Rosberg claimed one. Despite losing the drivers’ title in 2021, Mercedes still secured the constructors’ championship.

In 2022, Valtteri Bottas — who had replaced the retired Rosberg in 2017 — made way for George Russell. The new regulations introduced that year did not suit Mercedes. Throughout the season, Hamilton and Russell struggled with several issues, most notably porpoising.

Many of those problems were addressed in the following seasons, but the team was rarely consistently competitive. Red Bull Racing and McLaren set the pace under these regulations. Mercedes still managed to win seven races between 2022 and 2025.

A new era begins in Formula 1 in 2026, with major changes to both the chassis and power units. The cars are smaller and lighter, with reduced downforce, aimed at improving overtaking. Half of the power output will come from electrical energy.

Mercedes is expected to perform strongly under these new regulations. For George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, this could provide an opportunity to bring the team back to the front.

Alongside title contenders Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, George Russell was the only other driver to win Grands Prix in 2025. Mercedes, as in previous seasons of the ground effect era, was not consistently competitive enough to fight for the championships.

However, the team secured victories in Canada and Singapore and finished second in the constructors’ championship.

Mercedes’ driver line-up consists of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. They drive the W17, the successor to the W16. For Antonelli, 2026 marks his second season in Formula 1 after joining the team in 2025 as the replacement for Lewis Hamilton.

Toto Wolff is the team principal and co-owner of Mercedes. The Austrian previously held a one-third stake in the team. In 2025, he sold part of his shares to George Kurtz in a deal reportedly worth over €250 million. The transaction does not affect the internal structure of the team, as Wolff remains team principal and CEO.

Following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff explored the possibility of signing Max Verstappen in 2024. He openly expressed his interest, but the Dutch driver remained loyal to Red Bull Racing. Mercedes ultimately chose Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton’s successor.

Rumours linking Verstappen to Mercedes continued in 2025, partly due to Red Bull’s struggles and internal tensions. Verstappen addressed the speculation in Hungary, confirming that he would remain with Red Bull for the 2026 season.

In 2026, Verstappen will be connected to Mercedes machinery through his own GT3 team, Verstappen.com Racing. The team will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS using Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars.

Mercedes is one of the Formula 1 engine manufacturers and uses its own power unit. This gives the team full control over performance development. In addition, Mercedes supplies engines to other teams, including McLaren, Williams and Alpine.

Since 2021, Mercedes has supplied engines to McLaren. The partnership goes back further, as McLaren used Mercedes engines between 1995 and 2014 under the McLaren Mercedes name. In 2023, it was announced that the partnership would continue until at least 2030.

Mercedes and Ferrari are two of the most successful and historic brands in Formula 1. Their rivalry dates back to the 1950s, when Fangio won titles with Mercedes while competing against Ferrari.

Mercedes returned to Formula 1 as an engine supplier in 1994 and achieved success with McLaren. Mika Hakkinen won world titles in 1998 and 1999 with Mercedes power, often battling Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher.

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton won the drivers’ championship with McLaren-Mercedes, narrowly beating Ferrari’s Felipe Massa. Since returning as a works team in 2010, Mercedes has been a major force in the sport.

From 2014 onwards, Mercedes dominated the championship, while Ferrari — with Sebastian Vettel — was its main challenger for several seasons. Since the 2022 regulation changes, neither Mercedes nor Ferrari has been able to consistently match Red Bull and McLaren, although both teams have still taken race wins.

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