Bréaking: FIA announce HUGE Mercedes grid change after a DRAMATIC…Read more
FIA announce HUGE Mercedes grid change
The FIA has announced a major development for Mercedes, revealing the team will join the World Endurance Championship (WEC) starting in 2025.
This move marks a significant change for the German car manufacturer, whose Formula 1 team has faced challenges in recent years, falling from its once-dominant position of eight consecutive constructors’ championships to struggling for podiums.
Despite winning three races in the 2024 season, their strongest showing since 2021, Mercedes remains in fourth place in the constructors’ standings, with just one podium in the last seven races.
The team also faces a major setback as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is set to leave at the end of the year, joining Ferrari for the next chapter of his career.
However, Mercedes is looking to the future with an expanded presence in motorsport and a focus on young talent.
Their F1 program is set to grow, with Alpine adopting Mercedes engines from the 2026 season.
Promising drivers such as Mick Schumacher, Kimi Antonelli, and Frederik Vesti (the 2023 F2 runner-up) are part of their development plans, with Antonelli set to join the F1 team full-time in 2025.
Mercedes’ entry into the WEC represents a strategic opportunity to give these young drivers competitive racing experience.
The team will compete in the LMGT3 class in partnership with the Iron Lynx team, using the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Mick Schumacher, already competing in the WEC with Alpine, could play a key role in the new project.
The move was confirmed by the FIA WEC on social media, with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport head Christoph Sagemüller expressing excitement about the return to endurance racing.
“It’s no secret that we’ve been eager to bring the three-pointed star back to Le Mans,” he stated.
The return comes after a 26-year hiatus, with Mercedes previously achieving notable success in endurance racing.
Sagemüller highlighted the growing appeal of the LMGT3 class and the team’s desire to add excitement to the championship.
This strategic shift underlines Mercedes’ broader commitment to motorsport, leveraging its racing heritage and resources to explore opportunities beyond F1.
The WEC entry not only signals a return to endurance racing but also aligns with Mercedes’ goals to nurture young talent and strengthen its presence across global motorsport platforms.
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