2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

[Lasssept]

[Waz]

Autoracer

Mercedes appears intent on waiting for more favourable conditions before unveiling a single, large and extensive upgrade package on the W17, most likely during the Asian swing.

It remains unclear whether the ADUO power unit update will arrive in the short term, as Brackley must inevitably also contend with the resources available.

What is going on with this team? ADUO comes with its own addition to the budget too. Something doesn't add up.

[WardenOfTheNorth]

Autoracer

Mercedes appears intent on waiting for more favourable conditions before unveiling a single, large and extensive upgrade package on the W17, most likely during the Asian swing.

It remains unclear whether the ADUO power unit update will arrive in the short term, as Brackley must inevitably also contend with the resources available.

What is going on with this team? ADUO comes with its own addition to the budget too. Something doesn't add up.

I genuinely believe the reports that they didn't expect to get ADUO and so had nothing pipelined in the sort of time lines you'd want.

Ferrari et al were pretty confident they'd get ADUO and so had likely been working on it at an accelerated rate.

[WardenOfTheNorth]

At least now we can hear the end of the Max to Mercedes theories!!

[Lasssept]

[HungarianRacer]

Kimi had floor damage after his excursion into the gravel tarp in SQ1 (1:51):

[Matt2725]

6 tenths loss if you believe Italian media (you shouldn't).

The team also said they didn't observe any damage during the session, so mixed signals there.

[zibby43]

6 tenths loss if you believe Italian media (you shouldn't).

The team also said they didn't observe any damage during the session, so mixed signals there.

Can’t remember source but Kimi apparently referenced 25 points of downforce lost. And then he referenced in the team debrief carrying damage into the sprint race tomorrow.

[FittingMechanics]

6 tenths loss if you believe Italian media (you shouldn't).

The team also said they didn't observe any damage during the session, so mixed signals there.

Can’t remember source but Kimi apparently referenced 25 points of downforce lost. And then he referenced in the team debrief carrying damage into the sprint race tomorrow.

Damage can be repaired, they are allowed to exchange parts like for like so I doubt he will carry that type of performance loss.

Strange that he mentioned it?

[Lasssept]

[OverheatedTurbo]

The car desperately needs a comprehensive upgrade package. First, they said that it will arrive at Spa, then Malaysia, then Baku and some even say Singapore. I don’t know how Ferrari managed to pump these many upgrades without impacting 2027 development. I’m truly baffled with this team.

[SB15]

The car desperately needs a comprehensive upgrade package. First, they said that it will arrive at Spa, then Malaysia, then Baku and some even say Singapore. I don’t know how Ferrari managed to pump these many upgrades without impacting 2027 development. I’m truly baffled with this team.

I honestly baffled that they considered "stopping development" so early in the season.

[Lasssept]

[Sergej]

Kimi did a horrible S1, over one tenth slower than first Q3 run, could have been on pole. Anyway if they can finish ahead of Ferraris tomorrow it'll be a very good result. The car is still quick but desperately needs upgrades.

[SB15]

Kimi did a horrible S1, over one tenth slower than first Q3 run, could have been on pole. Anyway if they can finish ahead of Ferraris tomorrow it'll be a very good result. The car is still quick but desperately needs upgrades.

I did see a report from James Allison that said they found over 1 second of lap time, and I believe it since everyone has been gaining performance rapidly with even the smallest upgrades.