Mercedes has revealed that some members of its pit-stop crew at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix had not performed a race pit stop for 15 years. Despite significant personnel changes caused by injuries and other absences, the team maintained an impressive operational standard at Marina Bay, completing a 2.26-second stop that ranked among the fastest of the weekend.
Deputy team principal Bradley Lord explained that Mercedes had been forced to rotate several mechanics during an exceptionally demanding sequence of three consecutive races. The revelation adds another dimension to a difficult Singapore weekend in which Kimi Antonelli nevertheless secured a podium finish as he moved closer to his first Formula 1 World Championship.
Mercedes reveals unusual Singapore GP pit-stop crew changes
Mercedes endured a challenging weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix, but the team still managed to leave Marina Bay with a podium finish thanks to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is now approaching the historic achievement of securing his first Formula 1 world title.
However, the difficulties faced by the Brackley-based team were not limited to the performance of its cars on the circuit.
During the latest episode of the NU Silver Arrows Radio Show, published on Mercedes’ official YouTube channel, deputy team principal Bradley Lord revealed several behind-the-scenes details that made the team’s operational performance in Singapore particularly noteworthy.
According to Lord, the group of mechanics responsible for servicing George Russell’s and Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s cars included several replacements rather than the usual first-choice pit-stop personnel.
The demanding Formula 1 calendar, combined with injuries and other staff absences, had forced Mercedes to rotate members of its operational crew.
Bradley Lord highlights the demands of three consecutive Grands Prix
Lord explained that maintaining operational efficiency throughout the latest triple-header had been a significant achievement, particularly given the difficult conditions experienced inside the garages.
“I would like to highlight how we maintained our operational effectiveness throughout the latest triple-header, which probably brought together the three most difficult races of all in terms of the conditions inside the garage, including temperature, humidity and other factors,” Lord said.
The combination of high temperatures, humidity and a relentless racing schedule created a considerable physical challenge for mechanics and other team personnel.
For Mercedes, the situation became more complicated because some members of its regular pit-stop crew were unavailable, meaning other staff had to step into roles they had not performed in competitive conditions for many years.
Some Mercedes mechanics had not performed a pit stop for 15 years
The most striking detail concerned the experience of some of the replacement personnel brought into the pit-stop operation during the Singapore Grand Prix.
“Even in Singapore, despite making some changes to the pit-stop team, bringing in personnel who had not performed a race pit stop for 15 years to replace members who were absent through injury or for other reasons, we were the fastest in the pit lane, completing the fastest pit stop for the second consecutive weekend,” Lord continued.
“This demonstrates the extremely high operational level at which the team is working.”
Lord’s comments underline the confidence Mercedes has in the depth of its operational structure and its ability to maintain performance even when significant changes are required.
Although the mechanics involved were experienced members of the organisation, some had gone a decade and a half without carrying out a race pit stop, making the team’s performance particularly notable.
Official Singapore GP statistics place Mercedes third
There is, however, an important distinction between Lord’s assessment and the official pit-stop figures from the Singapore Grand Prix.
According to the official statistics, Red Bull actually recorded the fastest pit stop of the weekend, completing its tyre change in just 2.20 seconds.
Mercedes nevertheless delivered an extremely competitive performance, recording the third-fastest stop in 2.26 seconds, only six hundredths of a second slower than Red Bull’s benchmark.
Given the changes to its regular crew, the result was still an impressive demonstration of consistency and efficiency under pressure.
Mercedes comfortably leads the 2026 pit-stop standings
Mercedes’ overall performance in the pit lane is also reflected in the season-long pit-stop championship standings.
The Brackley-based team currently leads the classification with 347 points, holding a substantial advantage over Red Bull, which occupies second place with 244 points.
That represents a 103-point gap between the two teams and highlights how consistently Mercedes has performed across the 2026 campaign.
While the Singapore Grand Prix presented several difficulties, including the need to replace regular pit-stop personnel, Mercedes continued to deliver competitive stops while maintaining its commanding position in the season standings.
Singapore podium underlines Mercedes’ wider operational strength
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s third-place finish provided Mercedes with an important sporting result during a weekend that placed considerable demands on the organisation.
The team’s ability to maintain a high standard in the pit lane despite its staffing challenges offered another example of the work taking place away from the spotlight.
For Bradley Lord, the performance demonstrated that Mercedes’ operational strength extends beyond its regular pit-stop specialists, with the wider team capable of adapting when circumstances require significant changes.
Although Red Bull officially claimed the fastest stop at Marina Bay, Mercedes’ 2.26-second effort and substantial lead in the season-long standings provide strong evidence of the team’s consistency throughout the campaign.
With Andrea Kimi Antonelli approaching a potential World Championship triumph, Mercedes’ Singapore experience also highlighted the contribution of the mechanics and support personnel whose work remains essential to the team’s success.
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