Mercedes went through a dreadful period in the opening two seasons of the current ground effect technical regulations that were initially enforced in 2021. They got the fundamentals wrong and them committed a judgmental error to continue with the same zeropod concept in 2023.
Of course, the results reflected their error in judgment as Mercedes was pushed into the mid-field. However, the Silver Arrows finally had their moment of resurgence in the 2024 season. And with the 2026 engine regulation changes on the horizon, the team is set to embrace a few changes in the structure of the internal committee.
Mercedes To Revamp Structural Teams Ahead Of 2026 Regulation Changes
Mercedes has announced a significant team structure change as they prepare for the 2026 Formula 1 engine regulation overhaul. After a woeful couple of seasons, the team bounced back to win three of the last four races this year before the 2024 season went into summer break. However, to keep the momentum going until the end of the year, Andrew Shovlin, the trackside engineering director, suggested the need for organisational changes. Notably, the Silver Arrows will be bidding farewell to multiple members in 2025, starting from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Moreover, Loic Serra, the performance director, also announced his move to Maranello. However, Shovlin confirmed that Serra’s post has been filled through internal promotions.
Also, Andrew Shovlin revealed that Mercedes restructured the vehicle dynamics group, keeping the 2026 engine regulation changes in focus. “And one of the things on our radar is in 2026, we’ve got a very, very different car, a very, very different power unit to the one that we’ve got now,” Shovlin said. Hence, to adapt to the new phase of F1 better, the team is in constant pursuit to hire the best of the best engineers and technical directors. Shovlin lastly added that changes will not be restricted to just one or two people. Instead, the entire management or respective teams will be overhauled as a part of internal restructuring. Needless to say, these strategic changes reflect Mercedes’ commitment to not only adapting to the new regulations but also leading the charge in F1’s next technological frontier. The team aims to reclaim its lost legacy while embracing the sport’s shift towards a more sustainable future.
Toto Wolff Stuck In Kimi Antonelli/Max Verstappen Conundrum
Meanwhile, before internal restructuring, Mercedes have to finalise a replacement for Ferrari bound Lewis Hamilton. Teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli has emerged as an ideal candidate and as per rumours, a formal announcement is expected soon. On the other hand, Max Verstappen, the three time world champion, is also exploring his future.
As per a recent report from F1 Insider, Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff have had discussions in the recent past. Verstappen is eyeing a move to Brackley in 2026 as he is intrigued by the Silver Arrows engine composition. If Red Bull continues to show signs of decline, Verstappen is serious about shifting to Mercedes. But if this happens, Kimi’s future in F1 will surely be hindered.
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