Mercedes has introduced a comprehensive upgrade package for its W17 challenger at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, currently underway at the Sepang International Circuit. This marks the most expansive update brought by any team to the event. The race weekend, running from October 2-4, is a relocated fixture from its original April slot in Bahrain due to regional conflict.
The seven-part package focuses heavily on the floor, rear suspension, bodywork, and rear corner of the car. These revisions are designed to enhance flow conditioning and local load. This is the first major aerodynamic upgrade for the W17 since the Canadian Grand Prix in May.
Specific changes include modifications to the floor’s leading edge, corner, floor board, and body. The floor board’s horizontal and vertical elements have been revised to improve local pressure distribution and reduce airflow separations. The diffuser has been re-optimised to increase aerodynamic load.
Further updates extend to the rear bodywork, which features reduced volume and an increased sideview ramp. This design aims to boost downwash to the rear floor and rear drum, generating more load. Subtle adjustments around the winglets and track rods on the rear wheels also account for altered airflow.
The sidepod design has undergone a radical transformation, now featuring an aggressive ramp angled towards the rear axle. This is intended to channel airflow more effectively towards the rear of the car. Bodywork gills have also been refined to manage the extreme heat and humidity of the Malaysian climate, which the FIA has declared a ‘Heat Hazard.’
Mercedes anticipates these upgrades will yield a downforce gain of up to four percent. Driver Kimi Antonelli has estimated a potential lap time improvement of 0.3 seconds. The W17’s power unit has been dominant this season, securing 14 out of 15 race victories.
Despite leading the 2026 Drivers’ Championship with Antonelli (302 points) and George Russell (236 points) in second, Mercedes has acknowledged struggles for pole position on more conventional circuits. Team Principal Toto Wolff stated the update is an ‘important step’ to address this.
Wolff also noted the demanding nature of Sepang, which requires strong performance in high-speed corners, effective traction, robust tyre management, and consistency in challenging conditions. Mercedes is running a special green-and-black livery this weekend to celebrate its long-standing partnership with Petronas.
Russell, while acknowledging the upgrade as a ‘good step,’ downplayed expectations of a substantial performance leap. He indicated that the changes primarily involve an increase in downforce, maintaining the car’s straight-line efficiency.
Other teams have also brought updates to Sepang. Racing Bulls introduced a new front and rear wing, with the front wing flap designed for aero balance and the rear wing for increased load efficiency. Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Franco Colapinto will incur grid penalties for power unit changes and a Baku incident, respectively.
McLaren arrived with a new engine cover, a circuit-specific element for cooling. The team is also evaluating the full potential of a significant upgrade package introduced in Azerbaijan, which included revised sidepods, engine cover, floor edge, and diffuser layout.
Red Bull’s package, featuring a revised floor board for local load and flow stability, was confirmed as their final major upgrade for 2026, with development resources now focused on the 2027 car. Isack Hadjar faces a five-place grid penalty for exceeding power unit allocation.
Ferrari has implemented three incremental updates: a new T3 cover, revised winglets at the diffuser exit, and a new hydraulic system for active aerodynamics. A more substantial package is anticipated for the Austin Grand Prix.
Haas made changes to its rear impact structure for targeted car tuning, aiming to build on their recent double points finish in Azerbaijan. Alpine introduced a new front corner with a revised brake drum exit to increase brake cooling capacity.
The Sepang International Circuit, returning to the F1 calendar for the first time since 2017, is 5.543 km long. It is known for its abrasive surface, high thermal degradation, and unpredictable weather, including potential tropical downpours.
Ten current drivers have prior experience racing at Sepang, including Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. However, this weekend marks the first time the current generation of F1 cars will compete on the circuit, presenting a new challenge for all teams.
