Mercedes need steep development slope to maintain head start they enjoyed at start of 2026 Formula 1 season

However, Mercedes upgraded their car at the Canadian Grand Prix while Ferrari brought a considerable upgrade for Miami with another major one in Barcelona, the latter pushing the SF-26 ahead of the W17 with Lewis Hamilton winning on merit despite missing out on pole by less than a tenth.

Mercedes technical director James Allison explained how the balance of performance will ebb and flow in 2026.

"I think what you're seeing mostly there is these are very young rules," he said. "Our car was launched with a bit of a head start on the other teams, a head start that we've been able to maintain for a number of races.

"But the fact that the rules are so young means it is relatively easy at the moment, because the rules are not yet as explored as they might be, to find performance.

"And a significant upgrade package is worth about as much as the gap we had between our car and the others at the beginning of the season.

"So if Ferrari bring an upgrade package to a race unanswered by one of our own, then it will close the gap that previously felt comfortable, and I think that's mostly what we're seeing.

"Of course, we're not without guns in this fight, and, in due course, our car will receive its own upgrades.

"As long as we can keep the overall development slope in the factory steep and then deploy it when we think it's sufficient to do so and suits us to do so, then we should be able to re-establish the gain that we had at the beginning of the year if our development slope in the factory is matching everyone else's."

Mercedes are still leading the 2026 F1 Constructors' Championship from Ferrari by 72 points. (Source: Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show)