Overview
- Mercedes ran two different W17 specifications at the Singapore Grand Prix to speed up real‑world learning after a problematic Sepang upgrade, a move the team described as unusual but necessary.
- Engineers found the upgrade raised overall downforce but delivered it unevenly across the car, producing an unexpectedly strong front end that requires a different setup window.
- Limited spare parts and cost‑cap constraints shaped the test: Mercedes used a lone new front wing only in FP1 to gather data while avoiding the risk of damage during the weekend.
- George Russell reverted to the older specification, led early Sprint running then crashed in the Sprint and returned to the Grand Prix in a car rebuilt with used parts that reduced performance; Kimi Antonelli ran the newer spec, qualified faster and finished third.
- Mercedes says it will consolidate both cars on the newer package at the United States Grand Prix in Austin to validate findings and to inform the design direction for 2027.