Mercedes is preparing what is expected to be the biggest remaining upgrade of the W17 for Sepang, despite holding a substantial advantage in both Formula 1 championships. A completely new floor will form the centrepiece of the aerodynamic package, while a separate Power Unit development programme is set to introduce an ADUO-spec turbo from Austin.
The Sepang package should represent a significant part of Mercedes’ final development programme for the 2026 season and the second major step since Canada. Although the W17 has enjoyed a clear overall performance advantage, Mercedes lost a considerable number of points earlier in the year because of Power Unit reliability problems.
That prompted the team to revise its original development plan. Some updates that had already been validated in the wind tunnel, but were initially intended only to serve as internal development references for the 2027 W18, have instead been moved forward for use on the current car.
The decision comes despite the strength Mercedes has demonstrated throughout 2026, with the dominance of the Mercedes W17 giving the team a major championship advantage heading into the final part of the season.
Brand-new floor at the heart of Mercedes W17 Sepang upgrade
The most important element of the Mercedes upgrade will be an evolved floor manufactured completely from scratch, accompanied by several changes to the bodywork.
It remains to be seen exactly what Mercedes will formally declare to the FIA, particularly regarding the floor. Components that are not visible do not always have to be identified as new parts in the traditional technical document issued by Formula 1’s governing body on Friday mornings.
The work carried out by the Brackley engineers is primarily aimed at increasing the W17’s aerodynamic load while improving the interaction between the airflow generated at the front of the car, the floor and the rear section.
This has become increasingly important because Red Bull, Ferrari and especially McLaren have pursued much more aggressive development programmes. As a result, Mercedes has lost some of its performance advantage on circuits and track surfaces where aerodynamic load plays a more significant role.
It is an area Toto Wolff has previously acknowledged as part of the team’s development challenge, with Mercedes aware that there is still untapped potential in the W17.
Toto Wolff explains why Mercedes needs the Sepang upgrade
“This weekend we will bring an upgrade package to the track, and this represents an important step for us,” Toto Wolff said.
“At the more representative circuits in recent races, we haven’t been at the level of our expectations. Monza and Baku presented particular challenges, but at the more conventional circuits we haven’t been in contention for pole position.”
That distinction has been increasingly visible in recent races. Mercedes has been particularly strong at high-speed venues such as Monza and Baku, while McLaren could potentially have won three of the previous five Grands Prix.
Sepang should therefore provide a much more representative examination of Mercedes’ new aerodynamic package. The Malaysian circuit combines fast corners, prolonged lateral-load sections and long straights, giving engineers an opportunity to assess the true quality of the upgrade – provided rain does not complicate the comparison.
The characteristics of the Malaysian venue also make the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang a particularly useful technical test for the leading teams.
Mercedes ADUO turbo upgrade expected for Austin
Mercedes HPP has chosen a more gradual approach on the Power Unit side. The new ADUO-spec turbocharger assembly is expected to become available only at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
The development is primarily intended to improve the engine’s torque curve, allowing the Power Unit to deliver stronger and more complete torque at lower revs – something that has not been possible to achieve with the current turbo specification.
The Power Unit programme remains particularly significant after reliability problems cost Mercedes points earlier in the season, despite the underlying performance of the package.
George Russell likely to take final engine penalties in Austin
Austin is also currently considered the most likely weekend for George Russell to serve his final grid penalties of the season.
The situation is expected to be different for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Mercedes is unlikely to give both drivers penalties during the same Grand Prix, making the introduction of the new specification on the Italian’s car more likely between the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix.
The timing remains fluid, however. Mercedes continues to assess when to introduce new Power Unit components and on which car, with the final decision also dependent on the condition of the engines already in each driver’s pool at the end of every race weekend.
The original programme had actually been different. George Russell was initially expected to take a penalty in Baku, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli then scheduled to follow in Austin.
Those plans have now changed.
Mercedes changes Power Unit strategy for George Russell
Mercedes has chosen to complete another three Grands Prix using the engines already available in George Russell’s Power Unit pool.
The objective is to preserve the opportunity to give the British driver a Power Unit equipped with the evolved turbo for the decisive final phase of the season rather than introducing another unit before the new specification is ready.
The revised programme underlines how Mercedes has changed its approach during 2026. Developments initially intended primarily to support work on the W18 have increasingly found their way onto the W17 as rival teams have continued pushing their own cars.
Mercedes remains in a commanding championship position, but Sepang should reveal whether the new floor can address one of the W17’s more noticeable recent weaknesses: producing enough performance on conventional circuits where aerodynamic load matters more than at low-downforce venues such as Monza and Baku.
The aerodynamic package will provide the first part of that answer in Malaysia. The ADUO turbo should then add the next stage of Mercedes’ development offensive at Austin as the championship moves towards its final races.
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