Mercedes to run upgrades on both Antonelli and Russell cars in Austin

Mercedes has confirmed that Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will both use the latest version of its car this weekend at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The announcement ends the split configuration used at the previous event: in Singapore, only Antonelli ran the upgrades, while Russell returned to the earlier Sepang version. The British driver had gone into that weekend carrying a grid penalty for the main race, and the team wanted to compare the two specifications on track.

The decision follows a difficult debut for Mercedes’ new aerodynamic package, introduced when Formula 1 returned to Malaysia earlier in the month. In Singapore, Antonelli started the sprint weekend at a disadvantage to Russell, but became more competitive as the event progressed and finished third in the race. After that performance, Toto Wolff had indicated that the team was leaning towards running the new specification on both cars in Austin. The Mercedes team principal has now confirmed the choice in the team’s preview for the US event.

The stakes extend beyond car development. Mercedes did not challenge for victory in Malaysia or Singapore, where Max Verstappen won two races in a row for Red Bull. The team nevertheless remains on course to target both world titles, with six rounds of the season remaining. Antonelli could even clinch the drivers’ title this Sunday if he wins, provided Russell finishes outside the top eight and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finishes outside the top four.

In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes holds a 134-point lead over Ferrari. The team could therefore be in a position to secure the title as early as next week’s Mexico City Grand Prix. Wolff has, however, stressed the need to take matters one step at a time.

“Malaysia and Singapore were difficult weekends for us, and we have worked hard to understand where we fell short,” Wolff said. On Austin, he added: “This event gives us an opportunity to respond. We will run our latest update package on both cars as we continue to develop the car.” He also described the United States Grand Prix as the start of another demanding three-race sequence, with plenty at stake, while urging his team to focus on the weekend ahead.

Mercedes will also bring a revised livery to Austin, with blue added to the W17 cars to showcase its MANUFAKTUR personalisation programme. The United States Grand Prix opens a new three-race stretch in the Americas. Formula 1 will hold qualifying sessions there before the team continues its title campaigns at the following events.