Mercedes’ dominance has been abruptly reversed: the Silver Arrows have won only two of the last five races, with the Hungarian Grand Prix a pivotal moment.
McLaren’s Hungarian Ascendancy
During the Hungarian GP, Lando Norris sprinted to pole by a razor‑thin 0.012‑second margin over Lewis Hamilton, then converted that advantage into a win, leaving Mercedes in fourth and seventh in qualifying. Kimi Antonelli finished third, while Toto Wolff noted that artificial intelligence now favors McLaren for this circuit and that the team is “in the fight” after a concise upgrade push.
Upgrade Tactics Amid the Cost Cap
Wolff explained that Mercedes has adopted a more measured upgrade cadence because the 2026 cost cap demands strategic timing. Unlike in previous seasons, the team is now “briskly monitoring how much we can bring” before enforcing second‑half season boosts, hoping to leapfrog competitors once the performance curve flattens.
Road Ahead for the Silver Arrows
While Ferrari added fresh parts to the SF‑26 and McLaren deployed updates at Miami, Spa and Hungary, Mercedes remains patient. “We need to be strategic about when to bring upgrades,” Wolff said, signalling that the coming races will test whether the new strategy can restore the team’s previous pace.
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