Mercedes says its development timing is out of phase with rivals
Mercedes technical director James Allison said the team’s decision to keep developing its 2026 Formula 1 car late has left it out of phase with rival teams. He said that difference can create a leapfrog effect when in-season upgrades deliver large performance gains.
James Allison said Mercedes’ development approach has diverged from that of the teams around it because the squad continued work on its 2026 Formula 1 car later than others. According to Allison, that has left Mercedes "out of phase" with its rivals.
He said the result is a leapfrog effect, with in-season updates capable of producing sizeable steps in performance. Allison’s comments were framed against a season in which the Mercedes W17 has led the field.
The W17 opened the year with a 1-2 finish in Australia and has gone on to take eight wins so far.
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