Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says it is "crucial" for the development of the team's 2027 car that they fully understand the potential of their recent upgrade, which he described as a "step in the right direction" at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Mercedes took what Wolff called the "unusual" step of running two different car specifications at the race, following problems with the major upgrade introduced on both W17s at the previous round in Malaysia. It was the world championship leader's first major upgrade since May. Kimi Antonelli ran the newer specification, while George Russell reverted to the older package on a weekend when he already knew he would start at the back of the grid due to engine penalties.
Russell, with the older package, was quicker in the initial Sprint sessions. Antonelli, with the newer package, was then faster in main qualifying and finished third in the Grand Prix, moving a significant step closer to the world title. Afterwards Antonelli said "we started to see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Reflecting on the split programme, Wolff said the team had made the "unusual move" of running two cars because it needed to accelerate its learning curve. He said the new car needs a very different set-up philosophy from the previous one. Asked whether it was an easy car to drive, he said he did not think so, and that it did not yet have the performance the team had hoped for. "But it was a step in the right direction," he said.
Wolff said Mercedes will probably run both cars with the latest package at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, pending a final team decision. Both drivers believe it should bring a benefit there, and Wolff said this is the right direction for learning ahead of next year.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing