Mercedes Aims to Avoid Past F1 Mistakes for 2026 Engine and Chassis Reboot
Mercedes is rigorously applying lessons from its troubled W13 era to its 2026 Formula 1 car design, prioritizing a strong start under new engine and chassis regulations. The team is intentionally sacrificing current season development to ensure their next-generation car avoids the fundamental flaws and prolonged catch-up struggles experienced since 2022, aiming to reclaim championship contention from the outset.
Formula 1’s competitive landscape invariably shifts with new regulations, and the upcoming 2026 season—featuring both new engines and chassis—is causing jitters across the grid. Mercedes, having learned crucial lessons from its struggles in the current ground-effect era, is pouring resources into its 2026 car to ensure it starts on the front foot, even if it means sacrificing some development potential in the current season.
Why it matters:
Mercedes' past dominance made F1 less exciting for some, but its flawed W13 in 2022 highlighted the risks of regulatory changes. Starting strong in 2026 is paramount for the Silver Arrows to reclaim championship contention and avoid repeating the two years of catch-up they've endured since the last major rule change.
The details:
- Sacrificing Current Development: According to Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes has been disciplined in diverting resources to the 2026 project, rather than pushing for late updates this season. This strategy prioritizes a strong start in the new era over minor gains now.
- W13's Flawed Concept: The W13, Mercedes' first ground-effect car, was an aggressive aerodynamic bet. It featured a minimal sidepod profile designed around a large floor area, but fundamentally misunderstood the critical interplay between chassis dynamics and underbody aero.
- Ride Height and Suspension Issues: The W13's performance was severely hampered by a floor design that only worked at very low ride heights and an overly stiff suspension. This made Mercedes the worst affected by both porpoising and bouncing, leading to a prolonged period of solving fundamental design flaws.
- Learning from Mistakes: Mercedes engineers initially mistook porpoising and bouncing as the same phenomenon, only later realizing they were separate but related issues. This lack of initial understanding compounded their problems and forced a change in car concept, resetting their development path.
- Red Bull's Advantage: Red Bull, which started the ground-effect era strongly, was able to make more measured development decisions from the front, whereas Mercedes was always playing catch-up, leading to concept changes that stalled progress.
What's next:
Mercedes believes that with the benefit of hindsight from their W13 experience, they could have returned to winning ways much sooner. This hard-won knowledge is now being applied directly to their 2026 car project. The team's focused effort on avoiding past pitfalls, particularly regarding the complex relationship between aerodynamics, suspension, and ride height, is critical. Their objective is clear: to hit the ground running with a competitive package from day one of the new regulations, leveraging all the lessons learned since 2022 to prevent another period of chasing the leaders.