Mercedes introduced a major aerodynamic upgrade for the W17 at Sepang, a circuit not visited since 2017. The package includes a redesigned sidepod profile, new floor, diffuser, and internal cooling architecture. Because both cars received the update simultaneously, no back-to-back comparison was possible, making it difficult to assess performance.
Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth after a Q2 track-limits violation forced him to use a second set of soft tyres, leaving only one run in Q3. George Russell was eighth, though both drivers gained a spot due to Isack Hadjar’s engine penalty. Russell called the upgrade a “big question mark,” noting the inability to compare old and new specs directly.
Team boss Toto Wolff said the car showed unexpected behavior on Friday, particularly on the abrasive asphalt. Antonelli topped FP3 by 0.278s over Max Verstappen, who took pole. In qualifying, Mercedes struggled with drag on straights and understeer in low-speed corners — issues not seen all season.
The team remains puzzled by the W17’s poor response to the rough surface, complicated by the lack of comparable data from the previous specification.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing