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Wolff sends warning as Mercedes brings first major upgrade package of 2026

by sports••0
Wolff sends warning as Mercedes brings first major upgrade package of 2026
Mercedes will introduce its first major upgrade package of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Canadian Grand Prix, as the Silver Arrows respond to increased pressure from Ferrari and McLaren despite winning every race so far this year.
The Brackley-based team has enjoyed a perfect start to the campaign, with rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell helping Mercedes secure four consecutive victories and build an early advantage in the Constructors’ Championship.
However, signs are emerging that the gap at the front is beginning to shrink.

Mercedes eyes improvement 

After locking out the podium positions in the opening rounds, Mercedes saw only Antonelli finish inside the top three at the Miami Grand Prix. McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris capitalised on a late error from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to join the Italian teenager on the podium.
Mercedes notably brought no upgrades to Miami, allowing both Ferrari and McLaren to close the performance gap. Now, Team Principal Toto Wolff says the team is ready to respond in Montréal.

Photo: Race Pictures

“We head to Canada ready to get back into a regular rhythm of racing,” Wolff said in Mercedes’ race preview. “Our competitors took a step forward in Miami, and we need to respond; seven Grands Prix in 10 weekends before shutdown is an opportunity to do that and build momentum.”

Wolff also confirmed that Mercedes will debut its first update package of the season in Canada, although he warned against expecting immediate results.

“We bring our first update package of the year to Montréal, but we know that performance is only performance once it is delivered on track,” he explained.

According to paddock rumours, the new package could be worth as much as three-tenths of a second per lap, a potentially significant gain in the tightly packed 2026 field.

One area Mercedes is believed to be targeting is launch performance. Both Antonelli and Russell have regularly lost positions off the line this season, despite the W17’s strong overall pace.

Reports suggest Mercedes has developed modifications aimed at reducing the impact of the car’s unusually large turbo configuration, which has reportedly contributed to inconsistent starts.

Aerodynamic revisions are also expected, including changes to the front wing and airflow management around the front suspension and underbody. The updates are designed to improve overall balance and efficiency, particularly through medium- and high-speed corners.

Will Mercedes suffer in June?

The timing of the upgrades is particularly significant given the growing scrutiny surrounding Mercedes’ power unit.

Earlier this season, rival teams reportedly questioned whether Mercedes and Red Bull Racing had found a loophole involving engine compression ratios. The speculation centred around claims that the engines complied with regulations when cold but operated at higher ratios while running.

Mercedes has consistently denied any wrongdoing, with Wolff insisting the power unit remains fully legal.

However, from June 1, the FIA will introduce revised testing procedures that measure engines at both ambient temperature and 130°C, increasing scrutiny of engine compliance.

The FIA acknowledged the issue in a recent statement, saying: “A significant effort has been invested in finding a solution to the topic of compression ratio.”

With Montréal also hosting a sprint weekend, teams will have just a single practice session to evaluate any new components before competitive running begins.

Mercedes currently leads the Constructors’ Championship by 70 points, while Antonelli holds a 20-point advantage over Russell in the drivers’ standings and a 41-point advantage over Leclerc in third place. But with McLaren and Ferrari continuing to close in, the Canadian Grand Prix could provide an early indication of whether Mercedes can maintain its dominance — especially once the new FIA checks come into force.