Mercedes searches for answers after Sepang upgrade struggles

George Russell finished seventh and Kimi Antonelli eighth in the second practice session at Sepang, both about half a second behind pace-setter Charles Leclerc. Their positions left Mercedes looking for a better setup for its upgraded W17 ahead of qualifying.

Mercedes brought new sidepods and a revised floor. In a technical analysis for RacingNews365, Paolo Filisetti and Samuel Coop report that the drivers tried suspension and flap-angle changes during the second session without finding a satisfactory balance. They suggest the car responded differently to its revised aerodynamic balance than Mercedes’ simulations had predicted.

Mercedes spent much of the first session checking the new parts, including steady-speed runs to compare track data with simulations, leaving little indication of its race pace. Track evolution and heat may have contributed to its setup difficulties. The Friday sessions do not yet show whether the upgrade will prove effective.