Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff says the team must react after rivals closed the gap in Miami, confirming the Silver Arrows will bring their first upgrade package of the season to the Canadian Grand Prix.
After appearing to control the opening rounds, Mercedes saw their margin shrink at the Miami International Autodrome where McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari all introduced updates. Wolff acknowledged that those steps forward mean Mercedes “need to respond.”
“We head to Canada ready to get back into a regular rhythm of racing,” Wolff said in his Round 5 preview. “Our competitors took a step forward in Miami and we need to respond; seven Grands Prix in 10 weekends before shutdown is an opportunity to do that and build momentum.”
The Montreal weekend will also feature another Sprint and the team will carry a first update package to the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Wolff stressed the usual caveat: “We bring our first update package of the year to Montreal, but we know that performance is only performance once it is delivered on track.”
Mercedes still lead both championships: Kimi Antonelli’s recent win extended his lead over team mate George Russell to 20 points, but Wolff was careful to play down the idea that the season’s outcome is already set. “Despite being in the middle of May, we are just four races into the season. There is a long year ahead and, whilst this is an important weekend, it will not decide any outcomes.”
Wolff emphasised the importance of consistency and learning as the campaign progresses. “We will stay balanced, keep learning, and execute each weekend as well as we can. We won’t get too high when we succeed or too low in the difficult moments; that is as true for our drivers as it is for the rest of the team.”
With upgrades arriving across the field and a packed run of events before the summer break, Mercedes will be looking for the Montreal package to restore pace and build momentum into the next phase of the season.