News Summary
- Mercedes began developing its 2027 F1 car before the summer break
- The team has progressively transferred resources away from the championship-leading W17
- A “solid” final upgrade package is scheduled to debut in Malaysia
Mercedes has already shifted part of its technical operation towards its 2027 Formula 1 car but will introduce one final substantial upgrade to the championship-leading W17 in Malaysia, Toto Wolff has revealed.
The German manufacturer holds a commanding advantage in both championships after winning 10 of the opening 14 Grands Prix. Andrea Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings, while Mercedes sits 145 points clear of Ferrari in the constructors’ championship.
That margin has allowed Mercedes to begin reallocating resources towards next season without immediately abandoning development of the W17.
“2027 started a while ago, before the summer,” Wolff told Motorsport.com and other selected media following the Spanish Grand Prix.
“In the summer, we switched resources into next year, and that continues as per the plan, independent of where we’re standing in the championship.”
Mercedes has followed a more restrained development programme than Ferrari and McLaren during the season. Its first major W17 package arrived at the Canadian Grand Prix, with only smaller circuit-specific changes introduced since then.
A second and potentially final substantial package is scheduled to reach the car at the relocated Malaysian round in October. Mercedes must first negotiate the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with its current specification.
“I think we are bringing a solid upgrade in Malaysia,” Wolff told Sky Sports. “So, we’ve got to survive another one in Baku and let’s see, but sometimes it doesn’t correlate with the road so well.
“I hope that it does, and hopefully that puts us on par with the others in terms of upgrades, but we never know.”
The decision reflects the balancing act facing Mercedes. Its championship position has created room to prioritise the 2027 project, but Wolff remains unwilling to consider either title secure while several rounds remain.
“It’s a mechanical sport. You can DNF, you can crash out,” he said. “If that happens two times in a row, then suddenly what looked like a nice buffer is not there anymore because you have six races to go.”
Mercedes therefore intends to continue approaching the remaining events individually rather than managing the championship solely around its points advantage.
“In my opinion, we just need to ignore the points until it is mathematically no longer realistic for them to win,” Wolff added. “Until then, we just concentrate on each and every week and try to bring our best game.”
The development of the next Mercedes is expected to follow the team’s established naming sequence, making the 2027 car the W18. Although next year will not introduce another wholesale technical reset, teams will have opportunities to refine the new-generation concepts that debuted under the 2026 regulations.
Mercedes’ early advantage has made the Formula 1 champion the first major team to disclose when it began transferring resources towards 2027. Ferrari has indicated that it remains focused on improving its current car, while McLaren has continued introducing updates in an effort to close the gap.
The W17’s final major package is due to debut in Malaysia from October 2-4, one week after the championship visits Baku.
FAQ
What is the next F1 race after the Spanish Grand Prix?
The next race is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit. The event will take place from September 24-26.
FAQ
When is the next F1 race?
The next Formula 1 race is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, with the weekend running from Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26. Unlike a conventional F1 weekend, the race takes place on Saturday.
Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan GP on Saturday?
The Azerbaijan GP takes place on Saturday, September 26, because Sunday, September 27 is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The entire weekend has moved forward: FP1 and FP2 are on Thursday, while FP3 and qualifying take place on Friday.
What time does the 2026 Azerbaijan GP start?
The Azerbaijan GP starts at 15:00 local time in Baku and 12:00 UK time on Saturday, September 26. Qualifying begins at 16:00 local time and 13:00 UK on Friday.
