Mercedes tries again in Montreal, fitting for the second time the new rear suspension that debuted in Imola. The technical department in Brackley is confident in being able to make the most of the updated mechanical component after conducting further analysis at the factory, also using the track data collected in Emilia-Romagna. The W16 also features new updates related to the brake cooling ducts and the floor, which had already been evolved in the previous race in Spain.
The suspension returns
In Canada, the rear suspension introduced last month at Imola reappears on the Silver Arrows. The new version differs from the previous one due to the lowering of the most forward element of the upper triangle, which, with a greater incline, accentuates the anti-dive kinematics. As is well known by now, the goal is to stabilize the floor’s posture during longitudinal accelerations and braking, thus allowing a lower ride height and better exploitation of the ground effect. However, the modification also influences the airflow coming from the sidepods, channeled along the sides of the gearbox toward the beam wing and the diffuser.
During the debut race in Emilia-Romagna, Mercedes had suffered from high rear tire degradation, which until then had been a strong point of the 2025 project. Later analysis revealed that the issue stemmed from some unfortunate setup choices, but the team nevertheless decided to send the suspension back to Brackley for further study. “We still have a lot to learn about the new rear suspension,” commented Andrea Kimi Antonelli at the end of May in Spain. “They’re trying to analyze and understand it better at the factory. It’s something new, a big change. It takes some time to grasp it.” The suspension now makes its return in Canada, on a track that puts a lot of stress on the rear axle and therefore serves as a great testing ground.
Other updates
Additional updates debut on the W16 in Montreal. At Brackley, the team has worked on refining the floor introduced in Barcelona, with its continued presence on the car confirming its effectiveness. At the front, the Silver Arrows showcase new brake cooling ducts. This is always a critical area, as it also affects tire temperature management, but in this case the changes are aimed at ensuring adequate brake system cooling on one of the most demanding tracks for brakes.
The Canadian updates add to the many developments brought by Mercedes in the last month. In Imola, the new front wing debuted, designed to work in synergy with the new suspension fairings. In Barcelona, the floor was updated, with changes to the flow conditioners and the outer edge. The Brackley team has not yet shifted all resources to 2026, continuing to develop the W16 in an effort to reclaim second place in the Constructors’ standings, currently held by Ferrari.
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