Politics are an inherent aspect of Formula 1, particularly during a new regulation change – with teams constantly working to assert their own interests and priorities.
Mercedes were identified as favourites for the 2026 season several months ago, well before pre-season testing in February. Because of this, the W17’s consecutive victories in Australia and China have cemented this perspective.
This means Toto Wolff and George Russell, who were already media favourites in testing, are frequently at centre stage when rule changes are under discussion.
Speaking to the press in Japan, Russell reacted to the FIA’s recent qualifying adjustment – in addition to the more general theme of rival teams heavily scrutinising the W17.
Mercedes at front and centre
In the build-up to this weekend’s action in Japan, Mercedes once again found themselves under the microscope. On this occasion, it was their front wing (rather than their engine) generating scepticism.
Other teams have asked the FIA for clarification of the legality of the W17’s front wing.
The suspicion among some sections of the paddock is that the German constructor’s front wing (utilising active aerodynamics) does not close within the four tenth window permitted by the regulations.
However, it is understood that a small adjustment from Mercedes to avoid potential violations – rather than a massive penalty of clampdown – is the likely conclusion to this enquiry.
Meanwhile, in the last 24 hours, the FIA have announced modifications to energy deployment in qualifying. Teams will now have slightly less electrical energy at their disposal throughout the lap.
The core motivation to this change was unrelated to Mercedes. Instead, the complaints made by fans and drivers (including Max Verstappen) have been taken into consideration to improve the spectacle in qualifying.
The FIA are hopeful this amendment will prevent the rather unsightly trend of drivers running out of power at the end of straights – something which goes against the all-out approach seen on Saturdays over recent years.
Still, there have been some suggestions that Mercedes’ advantage in battery efficiency could be mitigated by this rule change.
Russell responds to rivals targeting Mercedes
Speaking to Sky Sports in Suzuka, George Russell responded to a prompt about rivals potentially targeting Mercedes to slow them down:
“That’s just how sport goes on to be honest, it’s always been the case.
“At the end of the day, our team has worked so hard to get ourselves in this position, and the best team should come out on top.
“We’ve obviously had four years of struggle. There have been two other teams over four years who have dominated and won.
“So just because we’re sort of back on top, I don’t think it’s quite right that somebody – or everybody – is trying to slow us down.
“Especially when you’re two races into a big old season.” (cont. on next page)