Mercedes announces first major update for W16 before the season even starts
F1 News
Mercedes is announcing a radical change to the W16 even before the start of the season. The German team is introducing innovative, durable carbon fibre composite for the cars George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will drive in 2025. Mercedes claims that the introduction of the innovative carbon fibre composite will not compromise track performance.
Carbon fibre materials make up about 75 per cent of a Formula 1 car. Mercedes argues that innovations in these materials have the potential to reduce an F1 car's carbon footprint. Working closely with the FIA and within the scope of the regulations, Mercedes aims to demonstrate that sustainable carbon fibre composites can meet the same technical and demanding requirements as traditional materials do.
Wolff proud of innovation Mercedes
Toto Wolff, Mercedes' team boss, is looking forward to the introduction of the durable carbon fibres on the cars. "When you combine performance and innovation, you create progress," said the Austrian in a Mercedes issued press release. "I am proud to lead a team of problem solvers who are committed to driving sustainable change."
To develop the sustainable carbon fibres, Mercedes worked with INEOS Nitriles, in collaboration with Toray, Syensqo and Sigmatex. "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," Wolff said.
This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica.
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