Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren Roll Out Upgrades at US GP While Mercedes Stays Static

As the paddock arrives in Austin, the technical war has intensified. Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren have unleashed a wave of aerodynamic updates to tilt the balance of power, while Mercedes has opted for stability, bringing no new parts to the United States Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

With Kimi Antonelli on the verge of securing the 2026 Drivers' Championship, Mercedes' decision to avoid new upgrades is a calculated gamble. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen is riding a wave of momentum after dominating Malaysia and Singapore. For Red Bull, these updates are about maintaining a winning streak, while Ferrari and McLaren are fighting to close the performance gap before the season's finale.

The details:

• Red Bull: Introduced a new front wing featuring additional vanes on the endplate and foot plate to enhance downforce and manage tyre surface temperatures. They also updated the front corner elastomeric gaitor to improve reliability and reduce strain during the heavy locking required for the Turn 11 hairpin.
• Ferrari: Brought the most extensive package with four key changes. The team overhauled the floor body, floor board, sidepod inlet, and diffuser to optimize airflow and increase stability at the rear.
• McLaren: Launched the first phase of a major new package. This includes revised furniture on all four corners and a new diffuser, signaling a long-term development shift teased by Andrea Stella in Singapore.
• Mercedes: Following unclear results from their Malaysia upgrade and subsequent testing in Singapore, the team is sticking with their current specification to avoid introducing instability during Antonelli's title charge.

What's next:

The US GP will serve as a critical litmus test for these upgrades. While Mercedes relies on the consistency of their current car, the aggressive development paths of Red Bull and Ferrari could shift the momentum of the championship in the closing stages of 2026.