Mercedes has brought the most extensive upgrade package of any Formula 1 team to this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with seven areas of the W17 revised for the demands of the Sepang International Circuit.
Seven of the 11 teams have declared changes for the weekend, although the scale and purpose of those updates vary considerably. Mercedes introduced the largest package, while McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, Racing Bulls, Haas and Alpine have also made changes.
Williams, Aston Martin, Audi and Cadillac have declared no updates for the event.
Mercedes brings seven-part upgrade
Mercedes arrived at Sepang with changes spanning the floor, rear suspension and bodywork as the team continues development of its 2026 challenger.
The floor board has been reprofiled with a new vertical slotted upper element, designed to improve pressure distribution, reduce airflow separation and increase load.
Changes have also been made to the floor leading edge, floor corner and floor body, with Mercedes targeting improved airflow towards the rear of the car and increased load through the diffuser.
At the rear, the team has reprofiled its suspension fairings, revised the position and span of the rear winglets and reduced the volume of the rear bodywork while increasing its side-view ramp.
Collectively, the changes are aimed at improving local load, airflow management and the car’s performance across a wider operating window.
Red Bull targets floor performance
Red Bull has introduced revised floor board geometry at Sepang.
The change builds on the existing floor geometry and is intended to generate additional local load while maintaining airflow stability behind the front tyres.
Red Bull classified the update as a performance development rather than a circuit-specific modification.
Ferrari introduces diffuser development
Ferrari has made a targeted change to its car, introducing a development to the diffuser’s outboard winglet cascade.
The team specifically stated that the update is not Sepang-specific, with the revised design intended to provide additional downforce across the car’s entire operating envelope.
McLaren prepares for cooling demands
McLaren’s sole declared change is focused on cooling rather than outright aerodynamic performance.
The team has introduced a new high-cooling engine cover designed to increase cooling mass flow and meet the demands of this weekend and upcoming circuits.
McLaren classified the change as a circuit-specific cooling update.
Racing Bulls changes front and rear wings
Racing Bulls has introduced two changes for the weekend, including a new front-wing flap intended to meet the aerodynamic balance requirements of Sepang.
The longer-chord flap increases the amount of load the front wing can generate.
At the rear, revised auxiliary components supporting the rear wing are intended to improve its performance and increase the efficiency of the load being produced.
Haas targets rear of the car
TGR Haas F1 Team has brought updated rear impact structure geometry to Malaysia.
An additional rear impact structure device is available to the team at the circuit, allowing Haas to target the characteristics of the car specifically for the demands of Sepang.
Alpine increases brake cooling
Alpine has focused its change on managing brake cooling.
The team revised the front drum exit, trimming the component to increase brake cooling capacity and improve thermal management for this weekend and other upcoming high-demand circuits.
Four teams bring no updates
Williams, Aston Martin, Audi and Cadillac have all confirmed that they have no new components submitted for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Mercedes therefore heads the development list at Sepang with seven declared changes, while its rivals have taken a more targeted approach as the October 2-4 race weekend gets underway.
