Hamilton claims Mercedes uses secret 'party mode' in qualifying

Lewis Hamilton has publicly suggested his former team, Mercedes, is using a hidden high-power engine mode during Formula 1 qualifying sessions, drawing parallels to the controversial 'party mode' of the past. The seven-time champion, now with Ferrari, stated he "knows how that works" after observing significant performance gaps appear in later qualifying segments, despite being close in the initial runs.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's direct accusation brings a major technical and strategic narrative to the forefront of the 2026 season. If true, it implies a significant, hidden performance advantage for Mercedes in single-lap pace, which directly impacts grid positions and race strategy. It also highlights the intense development war and gamesmanship between top teams, with a veteran driver using his insider knowledge to apply public pressure.

The details:

• Hamilton pointed to a dramatic shift in performance between qualifying segments. In the Shanghai Sprint qualifying, he was 0.118s behind George Russell in SQ1, but the gap ballooned to 0.801s in SQ2 and 0.641s in SQ3.
• A similar pattern occurred in Grand Prix qualifying, where he was within three tenths in Q1 and Q2 but ended Q3 0.351s behind pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli.
• The Accusation: Hamilton explicitly linked this pattern to a special engine mode, reminiscent of the 'party mode' Mercedes was known for in previous regulations. He stated, "In qualifying, they have another mode that they're able to go to... once they get to Q2, they switch that on, and we don't have that."
• Historical Context: The term 'party mode' originated around the 2018 Australian GP, where Hamilton secured a stunning pole position. At the time, he denied its existence, making his current confirmation of its past use a notable reversal.
• Race Pace vs. Qualifying: Hamilton conceded Mercedes still holds a race pace advantage but emphasized the qualifying-specific boost is a separate, critical factor. "In the race, they obviously don't have that mode, so they still obviously have an advantage overall," he added.

What's next:

The spotlight now turns to Ferrari's technical department and the FIA.

• Ferrari's Response: Hamilton's comments serve as a direct challenge to his new team, stating, "We've got to figure out what that is." Ferrari's engineers will be under pressure to analyze data and develop a counter-strategy, whether through a similar engine mode or car setup optimization.
• Regulatory Scrutiny: While engine modes are legal, Hamilton's public framing of it as a "secret" advantage may invite closer examination from the FIA to ensure all power unit parameters are within the spirit of the regulations. Mercedes will likely face increased questions about their qualifying performance steps.
• Psychological Warfare: This move is classic Hamilton, applying mental and technical pressure from the outside. How Mercedes and young star Kimi Antonelli handle this narrative could become a subplot for the next few races.