2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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Matt2725
Matt2725
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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Rootsap wrote:
04 May 2026, 20:14
Or maybe it's pride that stands in his way, refusing to adopt the settings of a youngster because "what does he know"
Perhaps. But his eyes will have been wide open after moving his differential and brake bias towards what Kimi was running and suddenly finding 7-8 tenths per lap of pace.

Either way, not sure why everyone is writing off GR (well I am, because they don't like him but that's another story). One DNF for KA and the script flips entirely.

HungarianRacer
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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A bit more of a fan engagement would be nice from the team.

I don't know why they no longer do their "Race Debrief" series on Youtube...

A little more insight into the team's plans, morale, how their season has panned out so far in hindsight compared to their honest expectations which they wouldn't have disclosed pre-season for understandable reasons... And most crucially (for me), a little heads-up on what they are expecting from the upcoming upgrade packages coming to the car, would be appreciated...

I don't see any obvious upside to reducing engagement like this, like they've done so far for this season...

SB15
SB15
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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George mind is on the line of "when we get to the European circuits, the championship isn't out of reach for me" which is fair because titanium dioxide is illegal in Europe lol. But if Kimi does get close, let alone beat George on merit in that stretch... that's when he'll start worrying.

Matt2725
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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HungarianRacer wrote:
04 May 2026, 21:52
A bit more of a fan engagement would be nice from the team.

I don't know why they no longer do their "Race Debrief" series on Youtube...

A little more insight into the team's plans, morale, how their season has panned out so far in hindsight compared to their honest expectations which they wouldn't have disclosed pre-season for understandable reasons... And most crucially (for me), a little heads-up on what they are expecting from the upcoming upgrade packages coming to the car, would be appreciated...

I don't see any obvious upside to reducing engagement like this, like they've done so far for this season...
I've seen rumours of performance increases of up to 6 tenths per lap with the upgrade package at Canada, but we'll see. I guess they don't want to give too much away.

zibby43
zibby43
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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Matt2725 wrote:
04 May 2026, 22:53
HungarianRacer wrote:
04 May 2026, 21:52
A bit more of a fan engagement would be nice from the team.

I don't know why they no longer do their "Race Debrief" series on Youtube...

A little more insight into the team's plans, morale, how their season has panned out so far in hindsight compared to their honest expectations which they wouldn't have disclosed pre-season for understandable reasons... And most crucially (for me), a little heads-up on what they are expecting from the upcoming upgrade packages coming to the car, would be appreciated...

I don't see any obvious upside to reducing engagement like this, like they've done so far for this season...
I've seen rumours of performance increases of up to 6 tenths per lap with the upgrade package at Canada, but we'll see. I guess they don't want to give too much away.
Good stuff. Thanks.

I remember a barge board upgrade they brought to Austria, I believe it was, several years ago (pre-ground effect) that was worth 3-4 tenths alone. 6 tenths in this early-hanging-fruit portion of the regs seems reasonable. What it will come down to is correlation and setup.

Waz
Waz
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Joined: 03 Mar 2024, 09:29

Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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Rootsap wrote:
04 May 2026, 20:14
Or maybe it's pride that stands in his way, refusing to adopt the settings of a youngster because "what does he know"
This is probably closer to the truth than some would like to believe.

If something as simple as diff setting and brake bias can make such a difference, what harm was there to try them out much earlier? In the Sprint even?

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Big Tea
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Joined: 24 Dec 2017, 20:57

Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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Rootsap wrote:
04 May 2026, 20:14
Or maybe it's pride that stands in his way, refusing to adopt the settings of a youngster because "what does he know"
I'm sure he would not do that as he knows where Kimi gets his advice from. Then again, pride can be a powerful thing to ignore.
When arguing with a fool, be sure the other person is not doing the same thing.

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WardenOfTheNorth
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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SB15 wrote:
04 May 2026, 22:51
George mind is on the line of "when we get to the European circuits, the championship isn't out of reach for me" which is fair because titanium dioxide is illegal in Europe lol. But if Kimi does get close, let alone beat George on merit in that stretch... that's when he'll start worrying.
What does Titanium Dioxide have to do with anything?
"From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn." - Niki Lauda

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WardenOfTheNorth
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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Matt2725 wrote:
04 May 2026, 15:42
Brazil is the next track on the schedule he has previously struggled at.
Also where he got his first win though!!
"From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn." - Niki Lauda

spookyisland
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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WardenOfTheNorth wrote:
06 May 2026, 06:05
What does Titanium Dioxide have to do with anything?
It's a meme: https://old.reddit.com/r/formuladank/co ... ds_to_eat/ - basically Kimi was "bad" last year in countries where titanium dioxide was banned as a food additive.

Farnborough
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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Big Tea wrote:
05 May 2026, 17:42
Rootsap wrote:
04 May 2026, 20:14
Or maybe it's pride that stands in his way, refusing to adopt the settings of a youngster because "what does he know"
I'm sure he would not do that as he knows where Kimi gets his advice from. Then again, pride can be a powerful thing to ignore.
GR has not seemed to be really adaptive/adaptable when given change in grip characteristics, that's in comparison with drivers who historically have thrived under similar circumstances. Needing more constrained and consistent approach to draw out the speed he does have.
KA also has been driving (at competitive speed) other chassis/platform in GT3 for example, which has notably less aero grip and therefore consideration for transients in marshaling that aspect. MV picked up on that from the same GT3 experience, noting that he could be far less brutal in braking/turn in phase in GT3 from lacking absolute aero support typical of F1 dynamics. It maybe assistance to KA with that experience, even over many of the other F1 drivers.

For diff and brake balance, typically if those two are more open differential (particularly corner entry) and slightly more rear brake bias in same area, then that takes absolute demand off front tyres, allows less push/understeer in that phase and easier "rotation" of chassis leading to apex of corner. All good attribute on those very tight radius turns that are significant part of Miami.
A little looser different on corner exit would also punish the front tyres less, but probably give a little more heating to rear (which is what KA had during race) but just conserves bite on front for when that demand is higher.

KA did an excellent job all weekend, so he's got something good going on with the same car as GR. Certainly had the measure of all,others over the race distance, a very accomplished performance.

We'll get more comparison next race as GR typically delivers high performance in Canada. Interesting contrast between the two now though.

dominaze
dominaze
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Joined: 28 Feb 2012, 15:45

Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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Didn't see any onboard direct comparison between Kimi and George but Kimi seems to love riding kerbs and George somehow brakes a little bit later. Wait and see

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WardenOfTheNorth
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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spookyisland wrote:
06 May 2026, 08:28
WardenOfTheNorth wrote:
06 May 2026, 06:05
What does Titanium Dioxide have to do with anything?
It's a meme: https://old.reddit.com/r/formuladank/co ... ds_to_eat/ - basically Kimi was "bad" last year in countries where titanium dioxide was banned as a food additive.
Aah. Completely missed that lol
"From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn." - Niki Lauda

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Lasssept
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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Image

Seanspeed
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Re: 2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

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It's honestly pretty insane how big and important Italy has been in motorsports and F1 in general, and had so very little to show for it on the driver front in F1.

That said, Kimi has a massive advantage here given just how many races there are nowadays, so his ability to rack up win stats is going to be much easier. Still, overall picture-wise, Italian drivers really have never done all that much in F1.