Mercedes is set to deploy a major upgrade package at the Malaysian grand prix to regain pole‑position advantage.
Upgrade plans unveiled
Team principal Toto Wolff confirmed that the next significant development will arrive in Malaysia, following a short update run at Baku where the Silver Arrows fitted only minor, race‑specific changes.
Engineering director Andrew Shovlin explained that the focus will begin with the Baku circuit next weekend before rolling out improvements from the Malaysian round onward.
Technical focus for Baku and beyond
Shovlin highlighted that Baku’s low‑downforce, long‑straight layout prioritises drag reduction, whereas the neighbouring circuits demand high downforce and excellent low‑speed grip.
“The car is excellent in Monza, but we need a model that delivers straight‑line speed for Baku and can handle the slipstream of the street’s tight corners,” he said.
Recent performance trend
The team has won the first six races of the 2026 season, but only four of the last eight, as McLaren and Ferrari close the gap with two victories each.
Despite wins at Monza and Madrid, Mercedes has not secured pole since Spa in July, where Ferrari’s Lando Norris dominated the qualifying session.
Anticipated impact
Shovlin expects the upgrades to bring the car back into pole‑fighting territory, saying “the margin between first and sixth is now a hair’s breadth.” He adds that a more powerful, drag‑optimized design will allow the team to compete aggressively for the front row.
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