Mercedes explains "out of phase" developments compared with other F1 teams

Mercedes technical director James Allison has explained that the team's decision to push the W17's design to the limit late in development left it 'out of phase' compared to rival F1 teams, creating a leapfrog effect as updates deliver large performance swings. Despite the W17 dominating the 2026 season with a 1-2 finish in Australia and eight wins in the first 11 races, Ferrari and McLaren have still taken some victories on merit. Allison revealed on the team's podcast that Mercedes is finding roughly six to seven times more lap time per week in the wind tunnel compared to last season, reflecting the gains available under the new 2026 regulations.