# Mercedes technical challenges in 2026 Formula 1 season > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mercedes-technical-challenges-in-2026-formula-1-season > Updated: 2026-10-17T08:30:00.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. The 2026 Formula 1 season has seen a shift in momentum between Mercedes and Red Bull. While Mercedes and drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli held a strong position with 11 Grand Prix wins and four Sprint Race victories, Red Bull and Max Verstappen have regained dominance following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Verstappen winning in both Malaysia and Singapore. Technical challenges have complicated Mercedes’ efforts to maintain their lead. An upgrade package introduced at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia caused technical difficulties, forcing Russell to revert to a previous car specification for the Singapore Grand Prix. During the inaugural Singapore Sprint, Russell crashed at the final corner in wet conditions. This accident required Mercedes mechanics to rebuild his car using second-hand components, including the front wing, floor, and suspension, as the team had exhausted its stock of new spares. Russell has called on the team to ‘get on top of these updates’ to regain a competitive edge as the season enters its final six race weekends. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-17: George Russell demands Mercedes resolve car upgrade issues George Russell has demanded that Mercedes resolve technical issues with their recent car upgrades following a resurgence from Max Verstappen and Red Bull in the closing stages of the 2026 F1 season. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/george-russell-demands-mercedes-resolve-car-upgrade-issues ### 2026-10-16: George Russell crashes in Singapore Sprint, forcing Mercedes to use used parts George Russell crashed during the Singapore Sprint race, forcing Mercedes to rebuild his car with used parts. The incident has sparked debate among drivers and officials regarding the Sprint race format. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/george-russell-crashes-in-singapore-sprint-forcing-mercedes-to-use-used-parts --- Cite as: Mercedes technical challenges in 2026 Formula 1 season. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mercedes-technical-challenges-in-2026-formula-1-season