AUGUST 1, 2025

Mercedes resets suspension after Spa

Mercedes has made a major technical reset ahead of the Hungarian GP, reverting to its previous rear suspension layout following a string of underwhelming results and rising pressure on teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli.

The 18-year-old Italian, who replaced Lewis Hamilton this season, broke down emotionally amid a woeful weekend at Spa. In the days since, the team has moved to shield Antonelli by admitting its recent suspension direction was a misstep.

Since we went on the new suspension, the car was a bit trickier to drive, Antonelli explained in Budapest. Especially on high-speed corners. Also, because of my driving style, I was making the car even more unpredictable, and that killed a bit my confidence.

I struggled to adapt. George (Russell), with his experience, adapted much quicker. But hopefully, going back to the old suspension will bring back that feeling I had before the European season.

Auto Motor und Sport reported that Mercedes had followed a pitlane trend by modifying the car's anti-lift behaviour at the rear - similar to Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari. However, the FIA clampdown on flexi wings may have added further complications.

Mercedes engineering boss Andrew Shovlin explained: We retrofitted and had to live with what we had. The gearbox housing is a carryover from 2024 - there aren't unlimited points to attach suspension elements.

Russell, clearly the quicker of the Mercedes duo in 2025, said: We've taken a step back. When you look at our performance collectively, we've both gone backwards.

Still, Antonelli is also trying to reset mentally amid skyrocketing pressure and attention. I did fun activities like driving my remote control car, he said, describing his few days rest since Spa.

Now I feel happy. I'm ready to give my best before the summer break.

(GMM)