MERCEDES EXPLAINS OUT OF PHASE APPROACH

Original: Mercedes explains "out of phase" developments compared with other F1 teams

Mercedes technical director James Allison explains the team's decision to continue developing its 2026 Formula 1 car later than other teams places it on a different development timeline.

Mercedes technical director James Allison says the team's decision to keep developing its 2026 Formula 1 car late has put it "out of phase" with the other teams around it, causing a leapfrog effect as in-season updates produce large performance gains. The W17 has been the class of the field so far,