Politics are an inherent aspect of Formula 1, particularly during a new regulation change – with teams constantly working to assert their own interests and priorities.<\/p>\n
Mercedes<\/a> were identified as favourites for the 2026 season several months ago, well before pre-season testing in February. Because of this, the W17’s consecutive victories in Australia and China have cemented this perspective.<\/p>\n This means Toto Wolff<\/a> and George Russell, who were already media favourites in testing, are frequently at centre stage when rule changes are under discussion.<\/p>\n Speaking to the press in Japan, Russell reacted to the FIA’s recent qualifying adjustment – in addition to the more general theme of rival teams heavily scrutinising the W17.<\/p>\n In the build-up to this weekend’s action in Japan, Mercedes once again found themselves under the microscope. On this occasion, it was their front wing (rather than their engine) generating scepticism.<\/p>\n Other teams have asked the FIA for clarification of the legality of the W17’s front wing<\/a>.<\/p>\n The suspicion among some sections of the paddock is that the German constructor’s front wing (utilising active aerodynamics) does not close within the four tenth window permitted by the regulations.<\/p>\n However, it is understood that a small adjustment from Mercedes to avoid potential violations – rather than a massive penalty of clampdown – is the likely conclusion to this enquiry.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in the last 24 hours, the FIA have announced modifications to energy deployment in qualifying. Teams will now have slightly less electrical energy at their disposal throughout the lap.<\/p>\n The core motivation to this change was unrelated to Mercedes. Instead, the complaints made by fans and drivers (including Max Verstappen<\/a>) have been taken into consideration to improve the spectacle in qualifying.<\/p>\n The FIA are hopeful this amendment will prevent the rather unsightly trend of drivers running out of power at the end of straights – something which goes against the all-out approach seen on Saturdays over recent years.<\/p>\n Still, there have been some suggestions that Mercedes’ advantage in battery efficiency could be mitigated by this rule change.<\/p>\n Speaking to Sky Sports<\/a> in Suzuka, George Russell responded to a prompt about rivals potentially targeting Mercedes to slow them down:<\/p>\n “That’s just how sport goes on to be honest, it’s always been the case.<\/em><\/p>\n “At the end of the day, our team has worked so hard to get ourselves in this position, and the best team should come out on top.<\/em><\/p>\n “We’ve obviously had four years of struggle. There have been two other teams over four years who have dominated and won.<\/em><\/p>\n “So just because we’re sort of back on top, I don’t think it’s quite right that somebody – or everybody – is trying to slow us down. <\/em><\/p>\n “Especially when you’re two races into a big old season.”<\/em> (cont. on next page)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Somewhat inevitably, the fastest team at the beginning of a regulation change is going to attract the majority of attention from rival teams.<\/p>\n As a manufacturer team with an extremely powerful and efficient engine, Mercedes are fighting a political battle on two fronts – one regarding their power unit and another surrounding their aerodynamic package.<\/p>\nMercedes at front and centre<\/h2>\n
Russell responds to rivals targeting Mercedes<\/h4>\n