Mercedes launches Antonelli W17 inspection as Wolff admits upgrade budget limits – F1 roundup

Mercedes has launched a deep investigation into Kimi Antonelli's W17 after the Italian reported progressive understeer with every tyre set used during the Dutch Grand Prix. The team is left in the dark over the cause, and Andrew Shovlin confirmed a thorough inspection is underway. In parallel, team principal Toto Wolff has made an eye-catching admission: Mercedes "haven't got the money" to add further upgrades beyond what's already planned.

Why it matters:

With McLaren's Lando Norris taking back-to-back wins, the performance gap is growing. The W17 handling issue is a major concern for Antonelli's confidence, and Wolff's financial limitation signals a development ceiling that could leave Mercedes behind in the constructors' battle. The Brackley squad is at a critical moment as the season heats up.

The details:

• W17 investigation: Antonelli said the understeer worsened with each set of tyres, making his final stint a real challenge. Shovlin has said the team is still "in the dark" about the cause, and the investigation is a priority for the factory.
• Wolff's budget admission: Toto Wolff, Mercedes' team principal and part-owner, admitted that the team "haven't got the money" to react to rival upgrades. The claim is surprising given McLaren's recent development push, and it puts the spotlight on Mercedes' resources.
• Honda's engine target: Fernando Alonso described his Zandvoort weekend as "back to square one" with the new Honda engine. The Japanese manufacturer's chief engineer has now set a "main aim" for the power unit, which should be to the ears of Alonso.
• Rosberg's claim: Nico Rosberg said he heard "from Max's camp" about an '$80 million' figure in Verstappen's Red Bull extension. Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team boss, responded to two "statements" made by the 2016 world champion.
• Sainz's commitment: Carlos Sainz has committed to Williams for 2027, and he explained the key factor behind his decision. Despite rival offers, Sainz was not prepared to leave the Grove-based team.

What's next:

Mercedes will now focus on solving the W17's understeer issue before the next race. Honda will work on bringing the engine in a direction that better suits Alonso, while Red Bull and Williams will continue to manage their own situations. The season is now a battle of development and recovery, and these storylines will play a key role in the coming races.