Mercedes revealed its first significant upgrade package since the Canadian Grand Prix in May, introducing a reworked floor and new sidepods for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The updates touch the floor board, leading edge, rear corner and main underbody area including the diffuser, while the rear half of the sidepod bodywork has been completely revised.
The team has moved away from the undercut sidepod geometry used since the season start for a ramped profile that creates simultaneous inwash and downwash effects. The new design pulls airflow downwards to enhance pressure differential between the top surface and air within the diffuser volume, increasing downforce generation.
George Russell expressed optimism that the upgrade could play to his strengths as he attempts to close his 66-point championship deficit to teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell described the changes as representing a normal development trajectory from May to October, though he noted it had been unusually long since Mercedes last brought major updates.
The team also reworked the rear suspension fairings and winglets within the rear wheel drums to complement the floor and sidepod changes. Mercedes delayed their early 2026 car build to implement winter developments, leaving them ahead at the season start but with fewer parts in the pipeline for opening rounds.