Mercedes detail latest F1 approach after unusual car experiment

Mercedes has confirmed that it will run the upgraded specification of the W17 car in the United States this weekend.

Last time out in Singapore, only Kimi Antonelli used the fully upgraded car, while George Russell used the older version, allowing the team to compare both iterations.

The Brackley-based squad was defeated at the last two rounds in Malaysia and Singapore, with Red Bull and Max Verstappen taking back-to-back wins.

But as Mercedes closes in on a double title success this year, team principal Toto Wolff insisted it is not slowing down the development of its car.

"Malaysia and Singapore were difficult weekends for us and we have worked hard to understand where we fell short," he said.

"Austin gives us an opportunity to respond. We will run our latest update package on both cars as we continue to develop the car.

"The field is incredibly close, so we need to keep moving forward if we want to fight consistently at the front in the closing stages of the season."

Wolff sends Mercedes warning as double title success looms

Although the Silver Arrows have won the US Grand Prix five times since the start of the hybrid era, the team's last victory at the Circuit of the Americas came in 2019.

As Mercedes seeks to close out a strong season on a high note, Wolff insisted it can't afford to relax its approach.

"The United States Grand Prix begins another demanding triple-header," he said.

"There is plenty at stake, but we won't get ahead of ourselves.

"The priority is the weekend in front of us: execute well, maximise our performance and take each race as it comes."