The quiet before the storm. Preparations will begin on Monday, May 18, to set up the Formula 1 paddock in Montreal ahead of the Canadian GP scheduled for the weekend of May 22-24.
For that date, Mercedes hopes to bring its first major evolution package for the W17 to the track ahead of the continuation of the 2026 season. What will it be about? According to ‘Motorsport.com’ the update will have a strong impact on the front wing and a new flow scheme.
Weight reduction and new flow scheme for the W17
New flow scheme? How is this possible? For beginners, the front wing, being the first element of the car hit by air, has a strong impact on the flow pattern that affects the car body. The Stuttgart-based manufacturer plans to change trend, intervening on three elements: the first is the front wing, to define the initial contact with the air, the second concerns the carbon covers of the front suspension and the third, finally, the floor of the car.
We should therefore expect a completely revised W17. Sometimes the look doesn't meet expectations, but even small changes, at this stage, can be enough to generate a significant impact on the overall performance of the car.
It should be added that the team also worked on a significant reduction in the weight of the components, in order to increase the value of the power-to-weight ratio.
According to ‘Motorsport.com’, the updates could increase the car's overall performance by up to 3 tenths per lap. A considerable increase considering that in a normal year the average increase spread over 24 appointments is about 1 second.
Photo: Mercedes
Read also in italian language: F1, la Mercedes ha lavorato su un nuovo schema di flusso per il Canada
