Toto Wolff has stressed that understanding the complete capabilities of Mercedes' recent car upgrade is "crucial" for shaping their 2027 development strategy, following what he described as a "step in the right direction" 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 major upgrade that debuted on both W17s at the previous round in Malaysia. This represented the world championship leader's first significant upgrade package since May.
Kimi Antonelli piloted the newer specification in Singapore, while George Russell switched back to the older configuration for a weekend where he was already facing a grid penalty due to engine changes. The split-car approach allowed Mercedes to accelerate their understanding of how the new package performed.
In the Sprint sessions, Russell demonstrated superior pace with the older specification, but Antonelli reversed that trend during main qualifying with the newer package. Antonelli went on to secure third place in the Grand Prix itself, moving substantially closer to clinching the drivers' championship.
Following the race, Antonelli expressed optimism about the direction, saying
we started to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Understanding the upgrade's true character
Reflecting on the dual-specification strategy after the weekend concluded, Wolff explained the reasoning 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 stated.
The Mercedes principal acknowledged that the new car demands 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 said.
He was candid about the upgrade's current shortcomings.
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.
The upgrade was engineered to generate additional downforce through medium- and high-speed corners, incorporating a new floor, revised floor board and rear-sidepod area, and reshaped bodywork that repositioned cooling channels to create "cannons" between the sidepods and engine cover.
The Malaysia introduction of this package had raised questions about its actual benefit. Mercedes had targeted approximately 0.3 seconds per lap from the upgrade, though Wolff questioned whether it had instead cost as much as 0.5 seconds, with the team attempting to isolate the upgrade's effect from Sepang's heat and challenging surface conditions.
Mercedes also introduced a new front wing design on Antonelli's car at the beginning of the Singapore Sprint weekend, though this component was removed following the sole practice session.
Austin will provide the next crucial test
Wolff indicated that Mercedes intends to run both cars with the newer specification at the forthcoming United States Grand Prix, subject to final confirmation before the Austin event.
The latest is that we probably want to run the new cars in Austin, he revealed.
Both drivers have signalled their belief that the updated package should deliver benefits in Texas.
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, Wolff explained.
He cautioned that the final decision would follow internal discussions.
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.
The outcome at Austin will be pivotal in determining whether the upgrade genuinely possesses the performance gains Mercedes envisioned.
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, Wolff stated.
Formula 1 now moves to The Americas for another triple-header sequence, with the United States Grand Prix in Austin scheduled for October 23-25, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW — no contract, cancel anytime.
