McLaren inspire Toto Wolff to make a behind-the-scenes change after threatening Mercedes’ dominance

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McLaren starting to threaten an end to Mercedes’ early dominance under the 2026 F1 regulations has inspired Toto Wolff to adopt a new mindset at the factory in Brackley.

The Silver Arrows flew out of the gates with the best car on the grid, helped in part by their superior knowledge of their new power unit. McLaren were even initially slightly discontent over the lack of information that Mercedes had passed on to them as their engine customer.

McLaren also started the 2026 F1 season somewhat slowly compared to Mercedes, as they opted to keep a basic version of the MCL40 over the early rounds. But McLaren’s first set of upgrades at the Miami Grand Prix showed they can now emerge as Mercedes’ biggest rival.

Lando Norris won the F1 Sprint in Miami from pole position in a McLaren one-two ahead of Oscar Piastri. Had McLaren pitted Norris one lap sooner, he could even have won the Grand Prix as Mercedes ace Andrea Kimi Antonelli undercut the Briton and instead went on to win.

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Toto Wolff is seeking more urgency at Mercedes to react to McLaren’s improved threat

Despite Antonelli winning the Miami GP, McLaren’s threat caught the eye of Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. So, according to Soy Motor, Wolff has adopted a new mindset at the factory in Brackley for Mercedes to have more urgency developing the W17 to maintain their status.

READ MORE: How to watch the 2026 Canadian GP and F1 Sprint, plus weather forecast

Mercedes have not yet ‘accelerated’ their plans to develop the W17, with the Silver Arrows already set to debut their first major update package of the year at the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend. But Wolff wants Mercedes’ staff to see the ‘necessity’ for improving their car.

It has already been suggested that Mercedes believe their Canadian GP upgrades are worth 0.3s per lap, largely thanks to a new front wing and floor, as well as making the W17 lighter. The Brackley crew have also now designed new software to try to improve their race starts.

Their upgrades could be key to Mercedes maintaining their status as the leading team, too, as McLaren are set to debut another front wing upgrade in Canada despite only taking one to Miami. McLaren held 40% of their planned upgrades back to debut at the Montreal race.

McLaren have taken inspiration from Ferrari’s Macarena rear wing, as well, and could debut their own interpretation at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve where straight-line speed will prove crucial. Add in McLaren’s new front wing, and the MCL40 could become an all-round beast.