Mercedes confirmed the 2026 W17’s upgrade package will drive its Singapore Sprint success after running split-spec garages over the weekend on Marina Bay.
Live data reveals a faster floor and wing layout
Owner Andrea Kimi Antonelli piloted the upgraded W17, extracting more pace in qualifying than the older-spec car driven by George Russell, whose 60‑place penalty forced a 19th‑row start. Antonelli’s lap times topped the field, suggesting the new aerodynamic kit offers a higher top-end speed.
Value‑engineer Andrew Shovlin cited the precise qualifying gains and “encouraging” race‑day performance as proof the track‑fit window had been found. The “massive engineering gamble” paid off, Shovlin said, after a three‑day test‑run of both blankets of spec.
Points held and races won despite grid adversity
Russell fought vigorously from the back, overtaking competitors and securing points inside an older toolkit that still managed to deliver solid results. Meanwhile, Antonelli leveraged the upgraded floor and wing elements to keep tyre degradation in check and finish a podium in race conditions.
Shovlin praised the drivers: “Kimi drove a very mature race, managed his tyres well, and had the pace to make the moves that secured the podium… George fought hard throughout and got himself back into the points.”
Clear direction as season edges to the United States
After weeks of balancing high‑speed and low‑speed traits, the team now banks on the Antonelli‑led setup as the definitive path forward. The W17’s new package shows faster sector times and improved corner performance, giving Mercedes confidence heading into Austin for the United States Grand Prix.
Shovlin concluded that the data gathered will be pivotal for the end-of‑season push: “We now have a clearer direction on where the performance is and what we need to focus on to unlock more of its potential.”
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