Mercedes struggles with new upgrade after poor qualifying in Bahrain
Mercedes fell to fourth and eighth in qualifying at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite introducing a major upgrade that was expected to improve lap times, prompting the team to investigate the car's performance issues.
Mercedes faced its toughest qualifying session of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, with drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell finishing fourth and eighth, respectively, about half a second behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The result came after the team introduced a major aerodynamic upgrade that simulations had predicted would shave roughly three-tenths of a second off lap times.
Team principal Toto Wolff said the expected gain had not materialised, noting the car appeared "draggy" on the straights and suffered excessive understeer through the low-speed Turn 2. Antonelli added that the new package performed well at high speed but lacked grip in slower corners, while Russell described the Sepang surface as "like driving on gravel" and said the qualifying was "the toughest Saturday of the year" for the team.
Both drivers questioned whether the shortfall was due to the upgrade itself or the unique conditions at Sepang, including the hot weather and aged tarmac. Russell pointed out that the team had previously secured pole in Baku with the same package, suggesting the circuit may be less suited to Mercedes' current car. Antonelli acknowledged a mistake in Q2 that forced an early run in Q3 on a single tyre set, which may have further compromised the result.
Wolff said multiple factors would need to be examined and that only minor set-up changes are possible before the race. The team will aim to optimise the package for the upcoming sprint and main race, while also managing tyre strategy and track position.