Mercedes F1 is not “gone” — they’re active and, as of late March 2026, they’re actually leading the 2026 season standings with 135 points and 3 wins after just 3 Grands Prix. Their official team page lists George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, with Toto Wolff still team boss and James Allison as technical chief.

Quick Scoop

What happened is more of a roller coaster story than a collapse. After the Lewis Hamilton era ended at the close of 2024, Mercedes entered a new phase with Russell and Antonelli, and early 2026 reports say the team looks much more competitive again after a strong Australian Grand Prix showing.

What changed

  • Lewis Hamilton is no longer with the team after activating a release option tied to the end of 2024.
  • Mercedes’ current lineup is George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
  • The team’s 2026 car is the W17, and the team is based in Brackley, UK.
  • Recent coverage says Mercedes is “back,” but still in a fight with Ferrari rather than dominating everyone.

The bigger picture

Mercedes were a dominant force for years, then struggled through the ground- effect era and reportedly made several technical missteps that hurt their performance. Recent analysis says the team spent the last four years trying to avoid repeating those mistakes as the sport moved into a new regulation cycle.

In plain English

If you mean “did Mercedes F1 disappear or crash?”, no — they’re very much still here and, right now, they look strong again. If you mean “why did they stop being untouchable?”, the short answer is that the regulation changes exposed weaknesses in their car development, but 2026 has started far better for them.

If you want, I can also give you a 1-minute timeline of Mercedes F1 from Hamilton’s exit to their 2026 rebound.