Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing -- the 2025 Season is About to Begin

Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing is entering the twelfth season of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS with a first-class team and driver line-up. The opening race will once again take place at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France, from 11 to 13 April. A total of eight Mercedes-AMG GT3s, entered by four customer sports teams, will be represented in the six-hour race. The season comprises five Endurance Cup races and five Sprint Cup races. For Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, the aim is to defend at least six titles.

GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup
The first round of the Sprint Cup will take place on 3 and 4 May at Brands Hatch. The 3.9-kilometre track south-east of London was also the first stop of the Sprint Cup in 2024. A total of four Mercedes-AMG GT3s from two different teams – Boutsen VDS and Winward Racing – will be on the grid. Further races will take place at Zandvoort (16 to 18 May), Misano (18 to 20 July), Magny-Cours (1 to 3 August) and Valencia (19 to 21 September). Lucas Auer and Maro Engel from Team Winward Racing will be aiming to defend their Sprint Cup title.

Intercontinental GT World Challenge classification
For Mercedes-AMG, it is also about continuing the winning streak in the intercontinental GT World Challenge manufacturers' championship. This classification comprises the race results of the GT World Challenge Europe as well as the GT World Challenge America, the GT World Challenge Asia and the GT World Challenge Australia. Mercedes-AMG has been able to bring this title to Affalterbach every year since the brand classification was introduced in 2019.

The foundation stone for the current season was laid last weekend in the GT World Challenge America: Mikaël Grenier (CAN) and Michai Stephens (USA) from Team JMF Motorsports won the first race in Sonoma, while Jeff Burton (USA) and Philip Ellis (SUI) from Team Regulator Racing won the second race. The GT World Challenge Australia kicks off next weekend in Phillip Island. The GT World Challenge Asia starts from 11 to 13 April at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

“We have once again been able to put together a very strong driver and team line-up for the GT World Challenge this year. I'm proud of that and the goal is clear: we want to give our customer teams the best possible support and at least defend the six titles we won last year. That will certainly not be easy in this highly competitive series. But at the end of the day, we are competing to be at the top.”
Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing

“I'm looking forward to the GT World Challenge races with Boutsen VDS. Our paths have crossed again and again for 19 years. We want to fight for victories and podium places together – everyone works very hard to achieve this. I am allowed to compete with the team in both championships. I think and hope that this is an advantage. The highlight is, of course, the 24-hour race at Spa. It's the biggest GT race in the world, it's the biggest race in the championship and it's a Belgian race. As a Belgian driver with a Belgian team, I really want to win the race again.”
Maxime Martin, Boutsen VDS #9

“The Circuit Paul Ricard is only two hours away from my home. Every year, many family members, friends and fans come to this race to support me. The GT World Challenge is a great championship where the competition is really strong. 2025 is my tenth year in a row and it's always great to be part of it. Fabi Schiller, Luca Stolz and I have a very good team spirit. We had a tough last year. But Team GetSpeed has put a lot of effort into preparing for the new season and I can't wait to put it all into practice and finally see where we stand.”
Jules Gounon, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed #17

“I'm really looking forward to my second full season in the GT World Challenge. We were a really strong team last year and delivered with the Overall and Sprint Cup titles. Nevertheless, we used the winter intensively, studied and analysed data and want to top it all again in 2025. With Matteo Cairoli, we have gained a top driver in the Endurance Cup and we are all really looking forward to the new season.”
Lucas Auer, Mercedes-AMG Team MANN-FILTER #48

“It's a great feeling to start the season as defending champion. Nevertheless, all the points will be reset to zero and the competition for titles and trophies will start all over again. We will approach the whole thing down to earth again, with hard work and determination. The level in the GT World Challenge is once again extremely high, but we also have a very strong driver line-up. We want to compete for the title in all three competitions again this year. The Endurance Cup has the greatest potential for improvement.”
Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team MANN-FILTER #4

Japan Grand Ris F! -- Preview, Suzuka

Fact File: Japanese Grand Prix

• Suzuka holds the distinction of being the only circuit we race at that is laid out in a figure-of-eight configuration.
• After the Degner Curves, the circuit passes under the straight leading to 130R. Owing to this, it's the only F1 track that runs both clockwise and anticlockwise.
• This figure-of-eight layout is beneficial for tyre wear. It creates a more even balance between left and right-hand corners (10 being right-handers and eight to the left), distributing load more equally between tyres.
• The first corner doesn't require any braking on entry. In Qualifying, drivers don't hit the brakes until the car is cornering at close to 5G.
• That helps to generate some of the highest steering wheel torques of the entire season.
• The vast majority of the first sector at Suzuka is spent cornering. From Turn 1 until the exit of Turn 7, the steering wheel is moving almost continuously for nearly 2km of the lap.
• For 2025, parts of the track between Turn 1 until entry Turn 8 have been resurfaced.
• Just 1.2 km of the lap is spent driving in a straight line. Most of the 5.807 kms sees some lateral g-force going through the car.
• The lack of straights also means that Suzuka is just one of four circuits on the calendar that has a solitary DRS zone, between Turn 18 and Turn One.
• 130R is one of F1's quickest corners, taken at 295 km/h. Turn 11 meanwhile is one of the slowest at 60 km/h.
• The braking zone for Turn 11 is particularly challenging. Drivers must hit the brakes midway through the fast Turn 10. They are cornering at close to 3.5G while turning right before the hairpin left. Lockups are therefore common.
• Suzuka has one of the highest mass sensitivities of the season. That means that carrying more fuel is more penalising in terms of lap time and performance.
• Suzuka has hosted the F1 season finale on six occasions, and up until 2022 appeared in the latter stages of the F1 calendar.
• For the past two seasons, the race has taken place in April, in the middle of the famous Japanese cherry blossom season.
• All six of Mercedes’ wins in Japan came in consecutive seasons between 2014 and 2019.
• Mercedes clinched a record-equalling sixth consecutive Constructors’ title at Suzuka in 2019.

Suzuka, with its fast sweeps and elevation change provide a proper test for both driver and car. This will be Kimi's first experience there and, whilst it will be another new challenge for him, he will be looking forward to it. He has handled everything thrown at him so far, and we're looking forward to seeing his continued development. George meanwhile has enjoyed his strongest start to a season in his F1 career. He has delivered with maturity, consistency, and speed. He is performing exactly how we knew he would as the senior driver of the works Mercedes team. He will be looking to continue in that form in Japan this weekend.

Cars and Coffee at the Mercedes Museum -- Every Sunday Through October 12, 2025

All-brand classic car meet “Classics & Coffee” at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Photograph from 2024. Photo: Thomas Niedermüller. (Photo index number in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: D840327)

The Mercedes-Benz Museum’s classic car meet “Classics & Coffee” opens the new season on 13 April 2025. Every Sunday up to and including 12 October 2025, drivers of all makes of late-model classics and vintage cars are once again invited to a relaxed get-together on the Museum hill. Right at the start on 13 April, everything will revolve around the topic of young classics – in line with the new special exhibition of the same name (11 April to 2 November 2025) at the Museum. Numerous new offers and hands-on activities will make the classic car meet even more interesting this year.

Highlights at Classics & Coffee 2025

• Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts: Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH will be presenting its range of replacement and wear parts in manufacturer quality for many classic model series on several dates – including expert information.
• Mercedes-Benz Classic Center: The centre of excellence for services and restorations for exquisite Mercedes-Benz classics will be on site on several Sundays.
• Classics & Coffee Collection: The new range of accessories for the popular classic car meet celebrates its première in 2025.
• Digital bonus card “Classics & Coffee Members”: Fans of the all-brand classic car meet can receive attractive loyalty rewards with the “Classics & Coffee Members” bonus card. Download it on the website me/classic-coffee-members and save it on a smartphone. Then present the bonus card at Classics & Coffee and receive loyalty rewards on the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th visit.
• Cruising: Rides in exquisite classic cars of the brand. The short, refined tours in Neckarpark are an exclusive experience in the supporting programme.
• Daimler Reitwagen: A motorbike special will take place for the first time on 31 August 2025. On this day, Mercedes-Benz Classic will be putting an authentic replica of the Daimler Reitwagen, the world’s first motorbike, into operation. The innovative technology carrier is celebrating its anniversary – it made its début in 1885, 140 years ago.
• The community’s own special: The Mercedes-Benz community votes on its own special: Mercedes-Benz Community – meeting place for all Mercedes-Benz fans
• Staff on site will provide information about all new offers.

Classics & Coffee Sundays regularly attract several hundred classic cars from Stuttgart and the region, some even from abroad. Participation is free of charge; advance registration is not required. The all-brand event inspires everyone: petrolheads with their own vehicles and Museum guests without their own classic cars. The relaxed, informal atmosphere and the opportunity to talk to everyone and share the fascination of classics and late-model classics characterise the event. New caterer Wilhelmer will be providing good coffee and other culinary delights.

Classics & Coffee: The theme specials 2025

• 13 April 2025 – Season Opening: Younger classics are particularly welcome at the “Young Classics” special exhibition, which opens on 11 April.
• 18 May 2025 – “Baby-Benz” and C-Class: The focus is on the Mercedes-Benz compact class model series (from W 201).
• 15 June 2025 – Super Sports Cars: The online platform “Collecting Cars” will be a guest on the Museum hill with the “Coffee Run”.
• 6 July 2025 – S-Class: The era of the S-Class – the top-of-the-range models from Mercedes-Benz – began with the 116 series in autumn 1972.
• 13 July 2025 – G-Class: The G-Model celebrated its première in 1979 and has fascinated with its extreme off-road capability and luxurious performance ever since. The Mercedes-Benz Museum’s Children’s and Family Day takes place on the same date.
• 27 July 2025 – 300 SL and SL Family: The abbreviation stands for “Sport-Leicht” (sports light) and thus for sporty and, above all, particularly iconic Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
• 3 August 2025 – E-Class: The 124 series became the first E-Class in 1993. This marked the beginning of a new era of upper mid-range vehicles.
• 17 August 2025 – Porsche: On this day, Mercedes-Benz Classic invites vehicles from the other Stuttgart brand, which developed its first sports car in 1948.
• 31 August 2025 – Motorcycles: In August 1885, 140 years ago, a new age of mobility began with the pioneering journey of Gottlieb Daimler’s Reitwagen. As a highlight, Mercedes-Benz Classic will be putting an authentic replica of the first motorbike in history into operation.
• 21 September 2025 – AMG: For drivers and fans of the sports car and performance brand of Mercedes-Benz from Affalterbach.
• 28 September 2025 – Off-roaders, commercial vehicles and camper vans: The particularly fascinating larger vehicles will take centre stage on this particular Sunday.
• 12 October 2025 – End of season.

Luigi Fagioli wins the 1935 Monte Carlo Grand Prix; Rudolf Caracciola becomes European Champion with the Silver Arrow in 1935, 1937 and 1938

 

Monaco Grand Prix, 22 April 1935. Eventual race winner Luigi Fagioli in his Mercedes-Benz 750-kilogram W 25 formula racing car with number 4 shortly before the Gasometer curve. (Photo index number in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: 21696)

90 years ago

• The European Championship is regarded as the forerunner of the Formula 1 World Championship introduced in 1950

From the 1920s onwards, the most important motorsport events were called “Grandes Épreuves”. The Grand Prix European Championship was created from these “Grand Tests” in 1931 – but was suspended in 1933 and 1934. Nonetheless, races were still held. From 1934, Mercedes-Benz joined the fray with the new W 25 and won two of the six Grandes Épreuves – on a par with Alfa Romeo. From 1935 to 1939, the European Championship title was again awarded, but with different racing formulae. The first championship race according to the 750-kilogram formula introduced in 1934 took place on 22 April 1935. Italian racing driver Luigi Fagioli won it with the Mercedes-Benz W 25. In 1935, the ME 25 engine of the first Silver Arrow produced up to 363 kW (494 hp) at 5,800 rpm from a displacement of 4,740 cubic centimetres. Mercedes-Benz dominated the 1935 motorsport season. Rudolf Caracciola became European champion, as he did in 1937 (with the W 125) and 1938 (with the W 154 for the new, displacement-based racing formula). In 1939, his team-mate Hermann Lang won the most races in the European Championship with the W 154. After the end of the war, the brand entered the new Formula 1 World Championship in 1954 and 1955, with Juan Manuel Fangio twice becoming champion in the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R. Mercedes-Benz returned to Formula 1 in 1994 and has been represented in the premier class of motorsport ever since: initially as an engine supplier for Sauber, McLaren and Brawn, and with its own works team since 2010.

Sex in the Rumble Seat -- an Advertisement from the 1920s: The Dangers of Spooning!

 

This ad about the dangers of spooning says it all!  From what I have seen of rumble seats, this had to be quite a feat.

Chinese Grand Prix Results, 2025

• George Russell finished third and Kimi Antonelli battled home to P8, despite floor damage, in Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.
• George Russell lined up on the front-row alongside the McLaren of Oscar Piastri for the 56-lap race. As the lights went out, George made the better start but couldn’t quite pass the Australian; as he backed out, Lando Norris was able to get ahead.
• Kimi meanwhile, starting P8, gained one position by passing the Racing Bull of Isaac Hadjar. Unfortunately, he suffered significant floor damage that compromised his entire race, likely from running over debris.
• Nevertheless, the Italian battled on gamely. After switching to the Hard compound, he fought the other Racing Bull of Yuki Tsunoda and ultimately used a one-stop strategy to finish P8.
• George meanwhile controlled his pace throughout before deploying the undercut to regain Norris for P2.
• Ultimately, the pace of the McLarens was too strong and Norris retook second position in the second stint.
• Nevertheless, George drove a faultless race to maximise the result and take P3 and make it back-to-back podiums to start the year and an all Mercedes-powered top-three.
• George’s P3 marks Mercedes-Benz’s 300^th podium in F1 as a works team, and his own best start to an F1 season after two races.
• The team now returns to Brackley after this opening double-header before kicking off the Japan/Bahrain/Saudi Arabia triple-header in two weeks’ time.
  

Driver	Grid	Result	Fastest Lap	Start Tyre	Stop One
George Russell	P2	P3	1:35.816	Medium	Hard (L14)
Kimi Antonelli	P8	P8	1:36.046	Medium	Hard (L12)

George Russell

P3 was the maximum for us today. We can therefore be pleased with the result and getting our second podium in two races to start the season. I made a good start and tried to take the lead from Oscar (Piastri). It was unfortunate to not be able to make the pass, and then to lose out to Lando, but fair play to Oscar as he defended well. Overall, the McLarens were just a little bit too quick for us. As much as we want our race to be with them, at the moment it isn’t. We therefore have to be happy that we were best of the rest today.

It has been a really positive start our season. We finished P3 in Melbourne, P4 in the Sprint yesterday, and P3 again today. We have been consistent, and the car has felt good. We will keep working hard to make it faster and hopefully we can close the gap to the very front.

Kimi Antonelli

The race was pretty tough after I suffered floor damage on lap one. It looks like I hit some debris and that affected the performance quite heavily. I struggled with the rear in particular after that and that was something I wasn’t expecting. It definitely hindered my pace, but it was good learning to have to deal with that. I think we can still be happy that we were able to bring home some points in P8, even though that wasn’t what we were hoping for ahead of the race. I want to say a thank you to the fans for voting me driver of the day. I definitely wasn’t expecting it given how my race went but it’s great to see the support from the fans.

Overall, I’m happy with how I, and the team as a whole, have started the year. I think one of the main points of learning for me has been Qualifying. If I can put it all together on a Saturday then we will be starting further forward, less likely to get involved in incidents, and can maximise the pace of the car. I’m excited to get to work ahead of the next triple-header and come back refreshed for the races in Japan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO

That was a solid afternoon’s work. A podium felt like the realistic best-case scenario for us ahead of the race and that is what we were able to achieve. We knew that the McLarens were going to be very strong, and that the Ferraris and Verstappen were also going to be a threat. I don’t often give 10 out of 10s as I think there is always room to improve but George was faultless today. He extracted the maximum from the car and for me, that was a 10 out of 10 drive. He has started this season incredibly well and is performing exactly as we knew he would as the senior driver.

Kimi’s race was unfortunately compromised by floor damage he sustained on the first lap. He kept his head down though and fought really hard, despite the sizeable performance deficit he was carrying, to come home a creditable P8. He didn’t complain throughout the race, just kept focused on the job, and that’s exactly what we want to see.

Overall, it’s been a good start to the new season. The ambition is to win but we don’t feel any entitlement that we should. The car is not quite as fast as the McLaren as the moment, but the team are working hard to close that gap. For now, we are maximising the performance we have and to leave China second in the Constructors’ Championship, having taken two podiums for the first two races, is satisfying.

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director

We're very pleased to get our second podium of the year with George. He lost one place in the first corner, which meant that McLaren could control the race and realistically, third was the best we could achieve today. There was still a threat to defend from behind with the Ferraris and Verstappen, but it was encouraging that we had the pace to keep them at arm’s length today.

Kimi was unlucky to pick up debris damage to his underfloor on lap one when he likely ran over some bits of the Ferrari front wing. That really hurt his performance today. We're nevertheless pleased that he could bring home some points, but it's a shame as he would have had fun racing with Verstappen and the Ferraris had it not been for that damage. 

Overall, we're pleased with how the first two races of the season have gone. The car is working well over a range of conditions and whilst we'll always hope for more, the performance we've seen is encouraging as we can certainly improve from here. This is the most solid start to a season that we've had for three years. We have a big task ahead of us to catch McLaren but we're not short of motivation and very excited for the season ahead.