Could this be the turning point? Mercedes arrived in Sepang with a hefty upgrade for the 2026 Bahrain GP, expecting the Silver Arrows to dominate. Kimi Antonelli flashed brilliance in FP3, yet qualifying proved tricky, and Wolff sensed an unknown issue.
Championship leader Antonelli secured a second‑row start, while George Russell will line up eighth – both will climb one spot after Isack Hadjar’s penalty. After a season of near‑total control, the result shocked the team boss.
“Morning looks great. With Kimi we finally feel a step forward in understanding. Qualifying, however, reverted to earlier levels – no real pace,” he explained.
He was pressed for details on the car’s behavior.
“We’re suffering massive drag – losing time on the straights to Max Verstappen for the first time. In low‑speed Turn 2 the car understeers badly. It’s a feeling we haven’t had all year,” he added.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Mercedes has excelled on power‑heavy tracks this year, the W17 boasting a potent engine and straight‑line speed. In my view, the upgrade seems poorly timed, prompting scrutiny of the new parts.
“Something else is happening. We’re digging through data and collaborating because we still trust the upgrade. We just need to pinpoint why it’s not delivering here,” Wolff said.
The abrasive surface and scorching heat may also be factors, yet the magnitude of the slowdown worries the Austrian manager.
“It feels completely different. You’d expect a three‑tenths gain, but we’re seeing three to five‑tenths loss and missing the top three by a wide margin. It’s tough, but we’ll find a fix,” he admitted.
Tyre wear remains a weakness for the silver team this weekend, making the race a real challenge for its drivers.
“I’m never overly confident,” Wolff replied when asked if race pace could improve. “Even with a pole‑position five‑tenths faster, I wouldn’t be ecstatic for tomorrow.”
“I have no clue what tomorrow’s heat will bring. It could improve or worsen. Right now it’s all about decoding the car’s behavior,” he noted.
Photos from the Bahrain GP in Malaysia – Saturday
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