Mercedes sticks to incremental upgrade plan as Ferrari and Red Bull close the gap

Mercedes track‑side engineering director Andrew Shovlin said the team feels increasing pressure from the resurging Ferrari and the fast Red Bull cars. After the British Grand Prix, where George Russell finished second and teammate Kimi Antonelli struggled with a wheel‑deflector issue, Shovlin explained that Mercedes will continue with a steady stream of small modifications rather than large upgrade packages for the 2026 season.

He noted, "We are improving the performance of the car… we try to add a little each week to stay ahead," and emphasized the importance of reliability and correct procedures. The team is preparing for the next challenge at Spa‑Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix, a circuit Shovlin described as "extremely special and energy‑management intensive."