Toto Wolff confirms Mercedes to finally unleash major F1 upgrade

Toto Wolff has confirmed that Mercedes will finally unleash a major F1 upgrade for the first time since the Canadian GP.

Mercedes has not brought any major packages to the W17 since the Montreal event at the end of May, but the car has still won six of the 10 races since then, and opened up a huge 160-point lead in the constructors' standings over Ferrari. 

Rival teams Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull have all brought major packages at a steady stream since, but after the Dutch GP, Kimi Antonelli claimed that Mercedes no longer possessed the fastest car in grand prix racing.

Wolff then claimed that: "we haven't got the money to put developments on the car," at the same rate as rival teams, and that Mercedes was "trying to evenly split" its upgrades through the season.

This claim was given short shrift by McLaren's Andrea Stella, but for the first time in nearly four months, Antonelli and George Russell will be armed with fresh upgrades as F1 returns to Sepang in Malaysia, which is a stand-in host for the Bahrain Grand Prix. 

"We are bringing an update package this weekend, and that is an important step for us," said Wolff.

"At the more representative circuits in recent races, we have not been where we want to be. Monza and Baku presented unique challenges, but on the more conventional tracks we have not been in the fight for pole position. 

"We know that, and we are working hard to change it. The update is hopefully another step forward, but there are no guarantees in F1. 

"The stopwatch is always the final judge. Our focus is on understanding the package quickly, executing the weekend well, and aiming to put ourselves in the fight at the front.

"Sepang is a demanding circuit that asks every question of the car. 

"You need performance in the high-speed corners, good traction, strong tyre management and consistency in hot, challenging conditions. 

"It is one of the more complete tests on the calendar."