Mercedes runs latest car upgrades in Austin to boost performance

Technical updates for both drivers

Mercedes will clearly run the latest specification car upgrades on both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at the United States Grand Prix in Austin to regain competitiveness. This plan follows a problematic debut for the team’s new aerodynamic package earlier this month during the return to Malaysia. Mercedes experienced difficult weekends in both Malaysia and Singapore and worked hard to understand where they fell short. In Singapore, only Antonelli ran the upgrades because the team had only one new front wing ready for FP1. George Russell used the pre-Sepang version in Singapore to allow the team to compare the two specifications on track, especially because Russell carried a grid penalty for the main race. Mercedes Deputy Team Principal Bradley Lord said the use of the new front wing in Singapore’s FP1 was an "investment on our future" to gather data. The team intends to use that data to hit the ground running in Austin with both cars in the updated configuration. Lord added that the test was worth their while to help the team make the most of higher peak performance. Wolff said the team will run the update package on both cars as they continue to develop the car because the field is incredibly close. "Austin gives us an opportunity to respond," Wolff said.

Championship standings and math

Antonelli can clinch the 2026 Drivers’ Championship this Sunday in Austin. He currently holds a 102 point lead over Russell. Antonelli could clinch his maiden Drivers’ Championship as early as this Sunday if he wins and his teammate Russell fails to finish in the top eight and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton is not in the top four. Such a result would extend his lead to 125 points. Mercedes also holds a 134 point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship, which means the team could be in a title-winning position for that championship as early as next week’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

While Max Verstappen took back-to-back wins for a resurgent Red Bull in Malaysia and Singapore, Mercedes remains on course to secure a championship double with six rounds left. Wolff said the United States Grand Prix begins another demanding triple-header. He noted that the team will not get ahead of themselves because the priority is the weekend in front of them. The team aims to execute well and maximize performance by taking each race as it comes.

Performance and race weekend schedule

The team expects to capitalize on findings from Singapore to increase performance in Austin. Bradley Lord said the FP1 test helped the team learn how to make the most of higher peak performance. Antonelli showed improved competitiveness in Singapore to finish third after starting the Sprint weekend on the back foot compared to Russell. Mercedes will also run a revised livery for the second time in three races in Austin, adding blue to the W17s for the MANUFAKTUR personalisation programme.