Mercedes Prepared for 'Consequences' if Second Place Achieved in F1 Constructors' Championship
Mercedes is prioritizing a second-place finish in the F1 Constructors' Championship, despite knowing it will result in less aerodynamic testing time for the pivotal 2026 season. With a solid lead over Red Bull and Ferrari, the team is prepared to 'deal with the consequences' of reduced development time, confident in their ability to adapt and maintain competitiveness under the new technical regulations.
Mercedes is ready to accept the trade-offs of securing second place in the Formula 1 Constructors' Championship, even if it means less aerodynamic testing time for the crucial 2026 season. The Brackley-based team currently holds a significant lead over Red Bull and Ferrari with three rounds remaining in 2025.
Why it matters:
Securing a higher position in the Constructors' Championship brings substantial prize money, a critical financial boost for any F1 team. However, due to the Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR) introduced in 2022, higher finishes also mean less wind tunnel and CFD development time for the subsequent season. This presents a strategic dilemma, especially with the radical technical regulation changes, including active aerodynamics, slated for 2026. Mercedes' determination to aim for second place underscores its competitive drive despite potential development constraints.
The Details:
- Current Standings: With George Russell and Kimi Antonelli leading the charge, Mercedes is currently in second place in the constructors' standings.
- Points Advantage: Mercedes is 32 points clear of Red Bull in third and 36 points ahead of Ferrari in fourth with three races left in the 2025 season.
- Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR): This sliding scale system allocates less testing time to higher-finishing teams, aiming to balance performance across the grid.
- 2026 Significance: The ATR allocations reset mid-season, but teams are stuck with their initial allocation for the first half of the year. This period is particularly vital for 2026 due to the extensive technical regulation overhaul and the introduction of active aerodynamics.
- Team Stance: Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' Trackside Engineering Director, has unequivocally stated the team's objective: to finish second.
- Development Philosophy: Shovlin emphasized that wind tunnel progress isn't solely dependent on the number of runs, citing McLaren's success with the least testing time this year.
What's next:
Mercedes is committed to finishing second, prioritizing the immediate competitive gain and prize money over concerns about reduced aerodynamic testing for 2026. The team believes it can 'deal with the consequences' and adapt its development strategy. This aggressive approach signals Mercedes' unwavering ambition to remain at the sharp end of the grid, even as the sport transitions into a new regulatory era. Their ability to manage the reduced testing time effectively will be a key determinant of their competitiveness in the crucial initial phase of the 2026 season.