Mercedes to Run Upgraded W17 at US Grand Prix

The team will deploy its latest update package on both cars to address recent performance deficits.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Motorsports

Mercedes to Run Upgraded W17 at US Grand Prix

Live Poll

Do you believe teams should prioritize continuous car upgrades to remain competitive throughout a racing season?

Mercedes will bring a fully upgraded W17 car specification to the United States Grand Prix on October 25, 2026. This move comes after the team experimented with split configurations at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Why it matters

The upgrade is a direct response to recent performance struggles in Malaysia and Singapore where the team failed to secure victories against Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Mercedes continues to push development on its vehicle platform despite being positioned for potential double title success.

Mercedes has secured 5 total victories at the United States Grand Prix since the hybrid era began. The team has not claimed a victory at the Circuit of the Americas since 2019.

The players

Mercedes

Mercedes is a prominent Formula One constructor that has consistently competed for championship titles throughout the hybrid era.

Kimi Antonelli

Kimi Antonelli is a Formula One driver who participated in the Singapore Grand Prix using the team's fully upgraded W17 car.

George Russell

George Russell is a professional Formula One driver who competed in the previous race using an older version of the team's car.

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen is a championship-winning Formula One driver who secured recent victories for Red Bull in Malaysia and Singapore.

Red Bull

Red Bull is a major Formula One racing team that claimed recent race victories over Mercedes in Malaysia and Singapore.

The details

At the Singapore Grand Prix, Mercedes utilized two different car specifications for Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Following that testing phase, both drivers will now race with the updated W17 package in Texas.

Mercedes last won at the Circuit of the Americas in 2019.
The upgraded W17 is set to run at the United States Grand Prix beginning October 25, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The introduction of a unified W17 package signals a pivotal shift as the team attempts to halt recent momentum gained by Red Bull. This adjustment is critical for Mercedes to maintain its lead in the potential double title race as the season nears its conclusion.

The move to synchronize car specifications means both drivers will have equal technical footing for the upcoming weekend at the Circuit of the Americas. Fantasy team managers and analysts should monitor whether this unified package successfully bridges the recent performance gap identified in Singapore.

The takeaway

Mercedes is prioritizing a standardized, upgraded vehicle fleet to counter its rival's recent track success. This strategic shift highlights the intense development cycles that define the final stages of the championship.