The W11 introduced a system Mercedes called Dual-Axis Steering (DAS), which allowed drivers to alter the toe angle of the front wheels by pushing or pulling the steering wheel column. In zero-toe configuration DAS improved straight-line speed and tyre warm-up; in negative-toe configuration it enhanced cornering grip. The system was particularly valuable on circuits with extended straights. DAS was banned from the 2021 season onward and did not appear on the W11's successor. The rear suspension geometry was also revised relative to the W10, with reducing understeer as the stated goal.
A significant mid-season change affected the car's visual identity. Following the postponement of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide growth of the Black Lives Matter movement, Mercedes announced in late June that the W11 would be repainted from traditional silver to predominantly black. Lewis Hamilton was the primary driver behind the decision, arguing that a livery change would signal a more meaningful commitment than social media statements alone.
The W11 was due to debut at the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, which was cancelled before the first session amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The car's actual competitive debut came at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Valtteri Bottas qualified on pole and won the race, the eighth victory of his career, despite both cars developing gearbox issues during the event. Hamilton had initially qualified second but received a three-place grid penalty for failing to observe yellow flags in qualifying, and then a five-second time penalty during the race for colliding with Alexander Albon — crossing the line second but classified fourth.
The W11's pace was immediately evident. At the Styrian Grand Prix, Hamilton took pole by more than 1.2 seconds from Max Verstappen. At Hungary he equalled the record for most wins at a single venue by taking his eighth victory at the Hungaroring. At Silverstone the car survived a dramatic late tyre delamination with Hamilton limping around the final lap on a deflating tyre to win with a reduced lead.
Mid-season dominance continued in Spain, where Hamilton led every lap and passed Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 155 career podiums by scoring his 156th. At Spa, Hamilton set a new outright track record at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps with a time of 1:41.252, qualifying half a second clear of Bottas. The only race Mercedes failed to win in 2020 was the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone, where high temperatures caused excessive tyre wear and Red Bull's Max Verstappen prevailed.
In Bahrain, Hamilton won from pole for the third time in his career at that circuit, but Bottas suffered a puncture under the safety car and finished eighth. Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Sakhir Grand Prix and was replaced by Williams driver and Mercedes protégé George Russell. Russell overtook pole-sitter Bottas at the start and led most of the race before Mercedes made a pit stop error, fitting Russell with Bottas's tyres and forcing him to pit again on the following lap. A late puncture ended any chance of a podium and Russell finished ninth with the fastest lap. Bottas, compromised by ageing tyres, finished eighth.
Hamilton returned for the Abu Dhabi season finale after a series of negative tests. The Mercedes drivers started second and third behind Verstappen and maintained those positions throughout.
Across 17 races the W11 took thirteen victories — eleven for Hamilton, two for Bottas — fifteen pole positions, nine fastest laps, twelve front-row lockouts and five one-two finishes. Mercedes secured the Constructors' Championship, their seventh consecutive title, breaking the record for consecutive championships previously held by Ferrari. The W11 was also featured as a playable vehicle in F1 2020, Real Racing 3, and CSR2, and appeared in the F1 2021 Braking Point story mode.