Mercedes F1 faces urgent questions over engine reliability as power-hungry Montreal track looms. Crucial test awaits German manufacturer.
Mercedes F1 is still investigating its recent engine failures, an alarming trend.
Kimi Antonelli suffered breakdowns in Monaco and Barcelona, while his teammate George Russell and the Aston Martin cars also encountered issues.
Mercedes had taken “preventive measures” ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, but that wasn’t enough as Antonelli once again failed to reach the finish.
“We still don’t know why it failed,” said James Allison, Mercedes F1 Technical Director, just before this weekend’s race.
This is obviously concerning as F1 heads to Montreal, a power-dependent track that puts engines to the test.
“We sent the engine back to Brixworth and it was dismantled. The exact cause of the problem is still unknown, and we hope to implement corrective measures for us and our customers as soon as possible.”
Notably, McLaren F1 has not been affected. Some theories circulating before the Canadian GP suggest that individual car setups could be a relevant factor—particularly in terms of cooling and heat exchange system design.
However, the relatively cool temperatures expected in Montreal should provide some relief for Mercedes and its customer teams in that regard.
Toto Wolff said he is “looking forward to getting back on track in Montreal after a tough triple-header.”
“We delivered a stronger performance in Barcelona, and that’s something we can build on. However, we know we need to be more consistent and continue progressing with the W16 if we want to return to our early-season form. We had a good race here in 2024, and I hope we can replicate that level of performance this time.”
“The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a fantastic track, with a mix of slow corners and long straights that often make for exciting races. Montreal is also a great host city for F1, and the fans always create a fantastic atmosphere.”
On the engine front as well, Christian Horner provided an update on the 2026 Red Bull Ford engine. He acknowledged a certain delay but considers it understandable.
“It would be arrogant of us to believe we can immediately outperform our competitors.”
“Ferrari has been in this field for 75 years, Mercedes for around 25. Audi and Honda have also built some of the best engines in the world across various motorsport disciplines.”
“We have to prove ourselves first. Next year will be a fresh start.”
