Mercedes' long-awaited upgrade fails to deliver at Sepang as team deep-dive into data for answers
Mercedes' first big upgrade since the Canadian Grand Prix over three months ago did not bring the hoped-for boost in performance around Sepang, and the team are currently deep-diving into the data to understand why the long-awaited package fell short at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
A package built to reclaim lost ground
The specification change was targeted at improving medium-high speed downforce – an area where the car had fallen steadily further behind its rivals in recent races. To achieve that aim, the whole mass of the bodywork has been brought forwards to create more free volume ahead of the rear wheels.
That redistribution has entailed moving the cooling channels to create 'cannons' between the sidepods and the engine cover – a distinctive new look for the W17 that arrived in Malaysia carrying high expectations after months without significant development.
Three months without a major update
The context makes the underwhelming debut all the more significant. As reported on 22 September, the W17 had not been upgraded to any notable degree at a single race since the Canadian Grand Prix at the end of May – an approach which, over that period, certainly helped Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull to catch up.
Team principal Toto Wolff had talked up the package ahead of its arrival, telling Sky Sports F1 in Madrid: "I think we are bringing a solid upgrade in Malaysia. So we've got to survive another race in Baku. Let's see."
One of the toughest Fridays of the season
The early evidence was not kind to the new parts. In reporting published on 2 October, formula1.com described Mercedes as having endured one of their toughest Fridays of the 2026 season in Malaysia, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli slipping down the order in FP2 despite the new upgrade package breaking cover.
The Silver Arrows admitted they faced a mountain of work overnight if they were to live with Red Bull and McLaren, though Russell remained hopeful of fighting for pole position despite facing a blisteringly quick Max Verstappen at the front of the field.
The championship stakes
The timing of the upgrade's flat debut matters enormously. According to the 22 September reporting, Antonelli arrived at the season-defining triple header of Baku, Malaysia and Singapore carrying an 81-point championship lead, with rivals conceding the title chase – meaning any step backwards at this stage hands his pursuers renewed hope.
Antonelli, for his part, remains confident that the team will "find an answer" to unlocking the upgrades. With the Singapore Grand Prix up next under the lights at Marina Bay, Mercedes' deep-dive into the Sepang data could not come at a more important moment in the 2026 championship battle.