The Mercedes W12 is based on the Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance, which won the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships the previous season.
The W12 was not as dominant as its predecessor. Regulation changes designed to reduce downforce from the floor area were said to have compromised lower rake designs, like the W12, more than higher rake designs. Pundits favored Red Bull for the first race due to stronger testing performance. At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton qualified second but won the race after an undercut strategy. In the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Hamilton went off-track and rejoined in eighth, eventually finishing second behind Verstappen. At the Portuguese Grand Prix, Bottas qualified on pole, but Hamilton and Verstappen overtook him, with Hamilton winning the race. Hamilton achieved his 100th pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix and went on to win the race. In Monaco, Hamilton qualified seventh due to a tyre temperature issue and finished seventh. At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton locked up going into turn 1 and, along with Bottas, failed to finish in the points. At the French Grand Prix, Hamilton led early but lost the lead to Verstappen due to an undercut, finishing second.
The Styrian and Austrian Grand Prix races were dominated by Red Bull. At the British Grand Prix, Mercedes introduced an upgrade package. Hamilton qualified on pole for the sprint race, but Verstappen won the sprint. In the Grand Prix, a first-lap collision between Hamilton and Verstappen at Copse corner resulted in Verstappen retiring and Hamilton receiving a ten-second penalty. Hamilton recovered to win the race. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Bottas was involved in a first-lap collision. Hamilton, the only driver to stay out on wet tires at the restart, fought his way up to third, later promoted to second after Vettel's disqualification. This result allowed Hamilton and Mercedes to take the championship lead.
The Belgian Grand Prix was heavily affected by rain, with the race red-flagged multiple times and ultimately shortened, awarding half points. Verstappen won by default, with Russell second and Hamilton third, cutting Hamilton's championship lead. Hamilton qualified second at the Dutch Grand Prix, finishing second behind Verstappen, losing the championship lead again. At the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton and Verstappen collided and retired from the race. Bottas finished third. At the Russian Grand Prix, Hamilton qualified fourth. Rain began to fall, and Hamilton pitted for intermediate tires, eventually taking the lead and securing his 100th Formula One victory, regaining the championship lead.
In Turkey, Hamilton qualified fastest but was dropped down the grid due to a penalty. Bottas was promoted to pole and won the race. Hamilton finished fifth, losing the championship lead again. At the United States Grand Prix, Hamilton qualified second, finished second behind Verstappen. Bottas qualified fourth but started ninth due to an engine penalty, finishing sixth. Hamilton qualified second for the Mexico City Grand Prix, while Bottas was on pole. Verstappen took the lead, and Bottas suffered a poor start. Hamilton finished second behind Verstappen.
In the São Paulo Grand Prix, Hamilton qualified on pole but was disqualified from qualifying. He started the sprint race from the back and finished fifth. Bottas won the sprint race. Hamilton started the Grand Prix tenth due to another new engine. He caught up to Verstappen, and after a late overtake, won the race. Bottas finished third. Hamilton qualified on pole for the Qatar Grand Prix and led every lap, winning by 25 seconds.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix saw Hamilton achieve pole position. On lap 37, Hamilton and Verstappen collided. Verstappen was given a ten-second penalty. Hamilton passed Verstappen on lap 43 to win the race and set the fastest lap. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the title decider. Hamilton qualified second. In the race, Hamilton built a lead, but a safety car deployment led to Verstappen pitting for fresh tires. The race restarted for one final lap, and Verstappen overtook Hamilton to win the championship. Mercedes won their eighth consecutive World Constructor's Championship.
Following its competitive career, the car was used at the opening of the Las Vegas Grand Prix strip in 2022, in the livery of the 2022 car. It was driven at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed by Esteban Gutiérrez, in the livery of the 2023 car. In 2024, Lewis Hamilton drove the car down Fifth Avenue in Miami as a promotional event, in the livery of the 2024 car. In April 2026, Mercedes development driver Doriane Pin drove the car for 76 laps as part of a private test at Silverstone Circuit.
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