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# Mercedes brings substantial upgrade to final F1 test week
- URL: https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mercedes-brings-substantial-upgrade-to-final-f1-test-week/
- Published: 2026-02-18T13:13:22.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-18T13:13:22.000Z
- Description: Mercedes has debuted a sizeable upgrade package on the first day of the final 2026 Formula 1 pre-season test in Bahrain
- Author: Josh Suttill
- Tags: Formula 1, #mercedes, #hide-countdown, #image-top-right

Mercedes has debuted a sizeable upgrade package on the first day of the final 2026 Formula 1 pre-season test in Bahrain. 

Having [ended the first Bahrain test last week on top](https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/full-2026-bahrain-f1-test-one-results-fastest-times-total-laps/), Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are splitting driver duties on the first day of the second Bahrain test.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/dd/af/ddafbd99-2ccd-468c-b622-4b3cccf80b49/content/images/2026/02/W17-t10-pod-view.jpg)

Mercedes has brought a number of changes to its W17 in Bahrain for this week, including a revised sidepod shape that’s more compact at the rear end. 

There’s also a new vane on the top of the sidepod and an adjusted wing mirror mount compared to the first Bahrain test, which is much straighter. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/dd/af/ddafbd99-2ccd-468c-b622-4b3cccf80b49/content/images/2026/02/W17-pod-strake--BAH-W2-D1.jpg)

There appear to be floor changes too, with a revised rear floor corner. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/dd/af/ddafbd99-2ccd-468c-b622-4b3cccf80b49/content/images/2026/02/W17-t10-brakes-view.jpg)

It has revised brake ducts at the front of the car, as well as a new front wing endplate that incorporates the trend of horizontal vanes seen across various teams, including McLaren. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/dd/af/ddafbd99-2ccd-468c-b622-4b3cccf80b49/content/images/2026/02/W17-FW-BAH-W2-D1-.jpg)

At the rear of the car, there’s a slightly revised engine cover that houses the exhaust, and revised cooling gills on the top of the sidepods.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/dd/af/ddafbd99-2ccd-468c-b622-4b3cccf80b49/content/images/2026/02/w17-cooling.jpg)