F1 Q&A: Mercedes; Hamilton, Leclerc and Ferrari team orders; Aston Martin and Isack Hadjar's injury - BBC Sport
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Is Mercedes' 2026 dominance over?
F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your questions
Is it fair to say the dominance of Mercedes is over?
They haven't won a race since Spa-Francorchamps, and even then that victory wasn't consecutive. Are they focusing more now on scoring points than they are winning races?
While there has been a noticeable shift in competitiveness at the front as the Formula 1 season progressed, it's not accurate to say Mercedes' dominance is over just yet.
Mercedes dominated the first six rounds of the season, but have only won two of the subsequent six. While they've still been consistently scoring points, their win rate has decreased significantly.
Why the change?
Part of the shift can be attributed to other teams, notably Red Bull and McLaren, closing the performance gap.
A more significant factor is Mercedes' strategic decision to focus on developing their car for next year, rather than pushing hard for wins this season. They've made fewer upgrades to their current car compared to their rivals, reflecting a conscious choice to prioritize long-term success over immediate results.
Analyzing the Data:
In terms of qualifying speed, Mercedes was once 0.453 seconds per lap faster than McLaren and 0.489 seconds ahead of Ferrari at the beginning of the season. Now, the gap is significantly narrower - around 0.163 seconds to Ferrari and 0.270 seconds to McLaren in the last six races.
This data, combined with the number of upgrades each team has installed, suggests a strategic shift from Mercedes.
The Budget Cap Factor:
It's worth noting that Mercedes have deployed fewer upgrades than some other teams under the budget cap. While this doesn't directly translate to lower spend, it does indicate a more conservative approach. Teams like Red Bull and McLaren have been more aggressive with their development spending.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Mercedes' strategic decision may pay off next year, when they are expected to field a car capable of challenging for both championship titles again.