Sport nationMercedes’ Bold New Design: A Copycat Move or a Stroke of Genius?
As the 2025 Formula 1 season gets underway, all eyes are on Mercedes, who have unveiled a radical new design that has sparked intense debate within the paddock. The Silver Arrows’ latest creation bears an uncanny resemblance to Red Bull’s championship-winning car, prompting speculation that they are copying their rivals’ successful aerodynamic concepts.
Ted Kravitz, a respected F1 pundit, was among the first to notice the striking similarities between the two cars. “They [Mercedes] have certainly taken some design cues from recent Red Bulls, but they have taken it to a more extreme level,” Kravitz observed during a recent broadcast from the Bahrain International Circuit.
Kravitz’s comments were echoed by other experts, who pointed out that Mercedes’ new design incorporates several key features that were pioneered by Red Bull. These include a distinctive sidepod air intake, which is eerily reminiscent of the one used by Red Bull last season.
However, while Mercedes may be drawing inspiration from their rivals, they are by no means copying them wholesale. The team has retained its unique push-rod suspension setup, which differs from the pull-rod configurations favored by Red Bull and Ferrari.
This decision is significant, as it suggests that Mercedes is not simply trying to replicate Red Bull’s success, but rather using their rivals’ ideas as a starting point for their own innovation. As Kravitz noted, “They’ve taken the Red Bull concept and made it their own. It’s a very aggressive approach, but it’s also a very clever one.”
The question on everyone’s lips, of course, is whether Mercedes’ bold new design will pay off. The team has struggled to match the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari in recent seasons, and there is a sense that they need to take a risk in order to get back to the top.
Only time will tell if Mercedes’ gamble will pay off, but one thing is certain: the 2025 F1 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari all pushing the boundaries of innovation, the battle for supremacy is likely to be fierce.
As the teams continue to test and refine their cars, the real question is not whether Mercedes is copying Red Bull, but rather whether they have done enough to close the gap. The answer to that question will only become clear as the season unfolds, but one thing is certain: the 2025 F1 season is going to be a wild ride.
Sport nation
Amina Umar