Toto Wolff has stressed that understanding the complete capabilities of Mercedes' recent car upgrade is essential for planning the team's 2027 development programme, following what he described as encouraging progress at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The team took the unconventional decision to field two different specifications at the Marina Bay circuit after encountering difficulties with the substantial upgrade that debuted on both W17s the previous weekend in Malaysia. This marked the championship leader's first major package introduction since May.
Kimi Antonelli piloted the newer specification in Singapore, while George Russell switched back to the older configuration for a race weekend where he was already facing a grid penalty due to power unit changes.
During the Sprint sessions, Russell demonstrated superior pace with the older package, but Antonelli subsequently proved faster during qualifying with the newer specification. Antonelli finished third in the Grand Prix, extending his championship advantage over Russell to 102 points, while Russell crossed the line in ninth place after starting from 19th on the grid.
Following the race, Antonelli expressed optimism about the direction of development, stating that
we started to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Split programme yields learning opportunities
Reflecting on the decision to run contrasting car configurations, Wolff explained the rationale behind the unusual approach.
We made the unusual move in a cutting-edge technology business to have two different cars because we felt we need to accelerate our learning curve and that was good, he said.
The Mercedes principal acknowledged that the new specification requires a fundamentally different approach to setup compared to its predecessor.
Fundamentally, looking back at the race, I think that this new car needs a very different set-up philosophy than the previous car. This is what we're learning at the moment, Wolff explained.
However, Wolff tempered expectations about the upgrade's immediate performance gains.
Was it an easy car like the previous one? I don't think it was. Does it have the performance that we were hoping the upgrade would bring? I don't think so yet. But it was a step in the right direction.
According to Mercedes' post-race assessment, the upgraded package demonstrated improved potential and performed more effectively as the weekend progressed through qualifying and the race itself. The Sprint format limited the team's time to optimise the upgraded car's setup window, which may have contributed to the initial difficulties.
Mercedes also trialled a new front wing design on Antonelli's car at the beginning of the Singapore Sprint weekend, though the component was removed following the sole practice session.
Austin will prove decisive for upgrade direction
Wolff stressed that the forthcoming United States Grand Prix will be crucial for determining whether the upgrade can deliver the performance gains Mercedes anticipated.
In Austin, we should see whether we can continue to consolidate that and whether it has more performance because it's crucial for the development direction for the next year, he said.
The team principal indicated that both cars are likely to run the newer specification at the next race, pending final confirmation from the engineering groups.
The latest is that we probably want to run the new cars in Austin, Wolff said.
Both drivers think it should have a positive effect, or it should have a benefit, in Austin, and I think in terms of us learning for next year this is the right direction to go.
He added that the team would make a definitive decision after the engineering departments convened on Monday following the Singapore race.
Again, I'm saying before the clever groups have come together tomorrow [on Monday after the race] and after tomorrow, we'll see what the next iteration will be we want to go.
What comes next for Mercedes
The United States Grand Prix is scheduled for October 23–25 at Circuit of The Americas, with the race taking place on Sunday, October 25. The event marks round 18 of the season and begins the final six-race stretch of the championship campaign.
Mercedes will use the Austin weekend to assess whether the upgrade can unlock additional performance and to gather intelligence on the developments brought by rival teams. The outcome at Circuit of The Americas could prove pivotal in determining the trajectory of both the current title fight and the team's preparation for the 2027 season.
