Mercedes has brought a major update package to Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, revising the W17’s floor, sidepods and rear-end components as it seeks to extend its control of both 2026 championships. The team also plans to run a teal and black livery in recognition of title partner Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil company and the official fuel supplier to every Mercedes-powered team on the grid.

The floor changes cover the floor board, leading edge, rear corner and main underbody, including the diffuser area. Mercedes has also changed the rear half of the sidepod bodywork, replacing the undercut geometry used since the season began with a ramped profile. Other teams had since adopted the earlier undercut approach.

Mercedes’ previous design used the sidepod undercut to direct airflow inwards around the car’s Coke bottle section. The revised version retains that inwash effect while adding a ramp along the upper surface to draw airflow downwards, strengthening downwash towards the top of the diffuser. The team intends to raise pressure in that region and increase the pressure difference between the sidepod’s top surface and the air inside the diffuser, with the aim of generating more downforce.

The floor board has also been redesigned, including its three horizontal elements. The upper slat now has a lower leading edge, while its trailing edge retains the same angle as in the older design. Two vertical pieces have been added behind it to guide the wake shed by the front tyre, helping condition the flow and move it outwards.

The horizontal elements continue to direct airflow upwards to clear the wake from the car and allow cleaner flow around the sidepods. Mercedes has also altered the rear suspension fairings and the winglets inside the rear wheel drums. Those changes are intended to work with the revised floor and sidepods to improve downforce at the rear of the car.

The package is the team’s first large-scale update since the Canadian Grand Prix in May. Mercedes delayed building its 2026 car so it could incorporate as many winter developments as possible. That approach gave the W17 an early advantage over rival cars, but left the team with fewer new parts ready for the opening rounds.

The W17 has been the leading car so far this season, though Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull have each provided competition at points. None has mounted a sustained challenge to Mercedes and its drivers in either the drivers’ or constructors’ standings. The team has continued development despite that position.

George Russell, who won for Mercedes at the most recent race in Baku, said the timing made the update significant. His victory cut his deficit to team-mate Kimi Antonelli in the drivers’ championship to 66 points.

“We think it's a good step, purely because it's been so long since we last brought an upgrade,” Russell said. “It's quite abnormal to have an upgrade back in May and then only again almost in October. So as an individual upgrade step, it's large, but in a normal season it's just sort of a normal trajectory where you would have expected from a May to an October upgrade package.”

Russell said he hoped the revisions would help Mercedes on circuits where it had struggled recently. “I'm hoping it's going to propel us back to the front on these types of circuits, which have been more challenging for us in the past six races.”

Based on reporting by Autosport.