Audi chief Allan McNish has addressed a light-hearted comment from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff following an on-track encounter at the recent Singapore Grand Prix. Wolff had suggested that Audi gained airtime during the race due to a battle involving one of his team’s cars.
McNish countered Wolff’s remark, stating that Audi’s visibility stemmed from their car being ahead of a Mercedes entry. The exchange highlights the competitive interactions between the two manufacturers in the current 2026 Formula 1 season.
The incident in question occurred when Mercedes driver George Russell missed the pit entry under a Virtual Safety Car period. He subsequently pitted as the safety car was cancelled, rejoining the track behind Liam Lawson, Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Russell quickly overtook Gasly but was unable to pass Hulkenberg, despite having fresher tyres. Hulkenberg maintained his position, securing eighth place, which marked his best result of the season. Russell finished ninth.
‘It was very nice of Toto, but we got airtime because we were ahead of one of his cars, I suppose,’ McNish told media, including RacingNews365, when presented with Wolff’s comment.
Audi officially joined Formula 1 this season, partnering with Sauber Motorsport. The team has been navigating its debut year, including a change in leadership earlier in the season when Jonathan Wheatley departed as team principal after two races. Mattia Binotto assumed his responsibilities.
Mercedes, meanwhile, began the 2026 season with a strong performance, achieving a one-two finish in Australia and establishing early leads in both championships. However, their advantage has progressively diminished as rivals like Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull have closed the performance gap.
Mercedes Technical Director James Allison noted that the rate of aerodynamic development under the new regulations is significantly higher this season, leading to a more volatile competitive order. Teams are reportedly finding approximately half a second every two months.
The German manufacturer introduced a significant aerodynamic upgrade package at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, which did not deliver the anticipated performance improvement. This led to a split strategy at the Singapore Grand Prix.
George Russell reverted to an older aerodynamic specification in Singapore, while Kimi Antonelli continued with the updated package. Wolff acknowledged that the upgraded W17 car has proven ‘a little more tricky to drive.’
Earlier in the season, Mercedes faced accusations from Ferrari, Audi, and Honda regarding a potential loophole in the 2026 power unit compression ratio regulations. Wolff vehemently defended Mercedes’ compliance and transparency with the FIA.
