Toto Wolff has admitted his shock at Mercedes’ main improve bundle for the Bahrain Grand Prix having appeared to take the staff backwards, following an underwhelming qualifying show.
Regardless of dominating the 2026 season, Mercedes have introduced far fewer upgrades than their rivals on the entrance of the grid, which meant anticipation had constructed across the addition of their first main bundle since Could.
The Silver Arrows arrived in Malaysia, which is internet hosting the occasion as a consequence of ongoing battle within the Center East, off the again of three successive race victories, and most anticipated that streak to proceed with the assistance of the upgrades.
As an alternative, Drivers’ Championship chief Kimi Antonelli may solely handle fourth, whereas his team-mate George Russell was eighth as Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed a dominant pole. Each Mercedes drivers will transfer up a spot on the grid on account of third-placed Isack Hadjar having to serve a grid penalty.
Wolff informed Sky Sports activities F1: “Very obscure. We’ve been a bit bit caught out on Friday with some automotive behaviour that we did not see all 12 months, however then you may say it is very popular and the tarmac is completely different to all of the (different) tracks.
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Toto Wolff explains Mercedes points after large improve bundle on the Bahrain GP in Malaysia
“It regarded actually good this morning (in ultimate follow). We appeared to have, at the very least with Kimi, made a step in understanding.
“After which, qualifying was a bit bit again to what we noticed earlier than, simply no efficiency.
“It seems to be like we’re very draggy, as a result of it is the primary time that we’re shedding plenty of time on the straights, particularly to Max.
“After which by the low-speed, we’re not in a position to flip the automotive. There’s simply an excessive amount of understeer. So, general, issues we have not seen this 12 months.”
Verstappen’s first pole of the season was secured by an emphatic margin, with Antonelli half a second behind and Russell an extra couple of tenths again.
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SkyPad evaluation of Max Verstappen’s first pole place in 2026
Whereas the intense warmth and observe floor on the Sepang Worldwide Circuit make for distinctive circumstances, Wolff was nonetheless alarmed by the timesheet.
“One thing else is happening, and we now have to grasp,” he added. “That is now working by the info and placing our heads collectively, as a result of we nonetheless imagine that the improve works. We simply want to grasp why not right here.
“It is so completely different (in Malaysia), however nonetheless, you are anticipating three tenths to kick in, and it seems to be like three-four-five tenths backwards.
“It is odd, however I assume we’ll discover a resolution.”
‘Affecting us greater than others’
Russell arrived in Malaysia filled with confidence after producing the strongest weekend of the season to assert victory in Azerbaijan, however has been unable to breed that kind.
The Brit’s deficit to Antonelli was made extra disappointing by the actual fact he had two runs to his team-mate’s one within the ultimate a part of qualifying, after a observe limits in Q2 compelled the Italian to make use of up an additional set of recent tyres.
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George Russell and Kimi Antonelli react to Mercedes’ qualifying at Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Russell informed Sky Sports activities F1: “From the primary follow we appeared to be okay, however we have simply not likely made any enhancements since.
“It is a very demanding circuit on the tyres, the tarmac is all broke up, it is extraordinarily tough, it is so scorching on the market and the tyres are going by hell.
“And, for no matter cause, it appears to be affecting us way over others.”
Antonelli was dissatisfied together with his Q2 error however felt the incident had solely probably value him one place on the grid given he felt Verstappen was out of attain, whereas Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton took second.
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Watch the thrilling finish to qualifying on the Bahrain GP in Malaysia!
Antonelli informed Sky Sports activities F1: “It is a disgrace for the error, however all in all, I feel with a clear qualifying with out the observe restrict, possibly P2, P3 on the highway would have been potential, as a result of clearly with just one set in Q3 it is by no means straightforward, particularly with the observe cooling down.
“However Max did an unbelievable job and was very fast. And in addition Ferrari, they made an enormous a step in comparison with FP3.
“All in all, we now have to be blissful as a result of it may have been a lot worse. We’ll deal with tomorrow.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s stay schedule Bahrain GP in Malaysia
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Relive the final time a Grand Prix was held in Malaysia again in 2017
Sunday October 4
6.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Bahrain GP build-up*
8am: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX*
10am: Chequered Flag: Bahrain GP response*
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion
Formulation 1 is in Malaysia for the primary time since 2017 because it hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix on the Sepang Worldwide Circuit – watch Sunday’s race at 8am (build-up from 6.30am), stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime