Mercedes 'excited' by improved start to F1 2025 season ahead of Japanese GP and target McLaren in development push

31 March 2025, 09:59 | Updated: 31 March 2025, 19:02

Mercedes have been buoyed by their promising start to the new Formula 1 season with a "much more predictable" car - although they do not expect the "real order" at the front to become clear until after the forthcoming triple header of races.

For the first time in the current ground-effect rules era, Mercedes have opened the campaign with back-to-back podium finishes - a feat they last managed at the start of 2021 - with George Russell claiming third in both Australia and China.

And with rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli recording finishes of fourth and sixth in the first two races of his career, Mercedes head into this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix holding second place in the Constructors' Championship - 21 points behind early pacesetters and title favourites McLaren.

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