Mercedes F1 upgrades face criticism after Singapore Grand Prix

Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok has expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s recent aerodynamic upgrade package for the W17.

Following the Grand Prix events in Malaysia and Singapore, Chandhok noted that the new components have failed to deliver a significant performance leap. During the Singapore Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli utilized the new specification to secure a third-place podium finish. In contrast, George Russell competed using older specifications after a sprint race crash left the team without new parts, ultimately finishing ninth after starting from the back due to a power unit penalty.

Chandhok observed that the performance gap between the two drivers was not large enough to validate the upgrade's success, noting that the older specification appeared competitive during Friday practice. While Antonelli remains a strong contender for the championship, the lack of clear developmental progress poses a challenge for the team as rivals continue to gain momentum.