It was no coincidence. The front row at the Singapore Grand Prix featured only teams that brought technical updates to Marina Bay. Mercedes and Red Bull showed they had overtaken McLaren, which had been the team to beat during the 2025 season. Oscar Piastri took third with the fastest MCL39, conceding three and a half tenths to pole-sitter George Russell — a gap that suggests a shift in the performance hierarchy.
No one expected the W16 to lead the pack. In Q3, Russell broke the track record twice, proving that the black-and-silver car could maintain peak performance over more than a single flying lap. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli had reason to regret his last Q3 run, where overdriving prevented him from contesting the front row.
So, what changed for Mercedes? The Brackley team registered a new front wing with the FIA, similar to the approach Red Bull used in developing Max Verstappen’s RB21. McLaren and Ferrari, by contrast, had to rely on available parts to optimize their high-downforce setups.
The redesign focused on the last flap to increase local downforce at low speed when maximum incidence is required, while significantly reducing drag in faster sections, seeking better overall car balance on this circuit. Television footage highlighted how the fourth element flexes far more than previous versions, despite stricter FIA inspections introduced after the Spanish Grand Prix.
Rather than major changes in the shape of the elements — although there is a different curvature on the second element — the key difference lies in construction, with carbon fiber weaves oriented differently to ensure controlled, programmed deformation.
According to our sources, these movements are not aimed at higher top speeds on the straights, but at achieving better aerodynamic balance, which in turn allows improved tyre temperature management, widening the operating window and preventing overheating that has often spoiled races under hot conditions.
While Russell celebrated pole in Canada thanks to the cool Montreal air, Marina Bay presented a different challenge. The W16 development team, led by deputy team principal Simone Resta, had experienced some setbacks after introducing the new rear suspension at Imola, which made the car more demanding for the drivers. However, Brackley decided to continue evolving the car, focusing recent efforts on the front wing.
Mercedes’ Singapore performance was an unexpected surprise. Toto Wolff’s goal is to consolidate the team’s advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship. The second position behind McLaren seems achievable, as the latest upgrade suits Kimi Antonelli’s more aggressive driving style compared to George Russell.
The Silver Arrows now appear capable of scoring heavily with both drivers. Russell, before finalizing his contract renewal, is determined to secure his second race win of the season to strengthen his negotiating position with Toto Wolff.
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