F1 insiders think Mercedes could start ‘sandbagging’ again after the Miami Grand Prix

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Mercedes could start withholding performance after the Miami Grand Prix in an attempt to game the 2026 rules, according to a report. The Silver Arrows have lived up to the pre-season billing by sweeping every pole position and race win so far.

They have already built up a 45-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ standings, and there are only 43 available in a standard weekend. Mercedes have picked up 94% of the available points so far, leaving only nine on the table.

It has been a truly imperious start, but at Brackley there is an awareness that the development rates will be higher than ever at the start of a new ruleset. McLaren in particular could be a threat to their dominance if they learn to master the Mercedes power unit.

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Could Mercedes start holding back again?

Mercedes were widely accused of sandbagging during pre-season testing. Considering that Kimi Antonelli’s fastest time, the best that either driver managed, was eight-tenths off Charles Leclerc’s benchmark, this theory appears to hold weight.

“I think it wasn’t a case of sandbagging, I think it was more a case of some of the other teams showing more than we would have expected in winter testing,” George Russell said after outpacing the field by eight-tenths in Australia, via RACER.

That in itself confirms that Mercedes weren’t showing their full potential. Indeed, even after the season started, reports emerged that they had turned down their engine because they could afford to do so as a reliability safeguard.

• READ MORE: Nico Rosberg calls Kimi Antonelli the ‘ultimate underdog’ despite leading the 2026 F1 championship

Now, according to Motorsport IT, F1 insiders ‘speculate’ that Mercedes will once again engage in ‘some form of sandbagging’ after the Miami Grand Prix.

Under the new regulations, engine manufacturers have access to Additional Upgrade and Development Opportunities (ADUO) if they are more than two percent off the pace, with even greater assistance offered to those who are at least four percent behind.

The first measurements to determine ADUO were due to be taken after round six, the Miami Grand Prix. But with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancelled, this could now be postponed to Monaco.

The FIA have yet to confirm whether they will change the timeline, but either way, Mercedes have an incentive to conceal some engine performance to deny their rivals ADUO or reduce the scale of the benefits.

The gaps will be assessed every six races, so perhaps Mercedes’ plan is to build a commanding early lead – they are clearly succeeding – and then keep their rivals at a comfortable distance without pushing flat-out.

Mercedes aren’t the only team who will be playing ADUO games

Mercedes may be playing a dangerous game, but there’s clearly an incentive to restrict Ferrari and Red Bull Powertrains.

Data will also be taken from customer teams McLaren, Williams and Alpine, who have no incentive to sandbag, but they also haven’t optimised the engine yet.

Intriguingly, the report adds that rivals might ‘temporarily reduce the performance’ of their power unit to ensure they stay within subsequent ADUO windows. Upgrades may be tactically delayed.

If the FIA feels that the rules are being manipulated, perhaps there will be changes for 2027. They were designed in good faith, but teams will always act in their own interest.