Mercedes Falters in Saudi Arabia as Tyre Woes Derail Promising Start to 2025 Season

Mercedes endured what Team Principal Toto Wolff described as their “worst performance of the year so far” at the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Despite entering the weekend second in the championship standings, the Silver Arrows were outpaced by Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren. George Russell managed only a fifth-place finish while Andrea Kimi Antonelli came home sixth, far from the team’s expectations.

Strong Qualifying Undone by Race Pace Drop and Unexplained Tyre Overheating Issues

Wolff expressed frustration and confusion over the car’s sudden drop in performance during the race. Mercedes had shown promise in qualifying, with Russell starting in third, but their race pace suffered significantly due to tyre overheating and blistering. Wolff admitted there was no clear explanation for the degradation, noting the stark contrast between their qualifying speed and race struggles.

George Russell echoed Wolff’s concerns, saying that the tyres began to overheat early in the second stint. He tried to stay close to race leader Max Verstappen but eventually experienced severe drop-off in pace, losing up to a second per lap in the closing stages. Despite his best efforts, Russell accepted that fifth place was likely the best result possible under the circumstances.

Tyre Blistering Exposes Mercedes’ Struggles Despite Strong Start to 2025 Season

Russell clarified that the overheating issues were not due to ambient temperatures, but rather the car’s characteristics through high-speed corners. He explained that both front and rear tyres suffered from blistering, leaving the car without grip. This highlighted a fundamental issue with how the Mercedes generates and manages tyre temperature compared to its rivals.

The poor showing in Jeddah was especially disappointing after a strong start to the 2025 campaign, with Russell scoring three podiums in the first four races, including a second-place finish in Bahrain. The team had higher expectations for the Saudi race, and the reversal in performance has left them searching for answers. Both Wolff and Russell emphasized the need for rapid improvements before the next grand prix.