Fresh details have emerged regarding the major upgrade package that Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team are preparing to unleash at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix — and the changes could seriously threaten one of Scuderia Ferrari’s biggest strengths.
The Silver Arrows head into Montreal under growing pressure after rivals McLaren Formula 1 Team and Oracle Red Bull Racing both made major gains during the Miami Grand Prix weekend. McLaren’s heavily revised front wing attracted widespread attention in the paddock, while Red Bull’s extensive package reportedly improved their pace by as much as six tenths per lap.
Mercedes, by comparison, introduced only a small two-part update in Miami, choosing instead to save a much larger development push for Canada. Expectations inside the paddock are now rising that the Brackley-based squad could arrive in Montreal with one of their most aggressive upgrade packages of the season so far.
According to reports from Italian motorsport media, the team are preparing revisions aimed at improving aerodynamic efficiency, cornering stability and straight-line speed — areas where Ferrari have traditionally held an edge, particularly on circuits requiring strong traction and top-end performance.
The timing of the upgrades is also significant. From June 1, Formula 1 teams are expected to face stricter room-temperature compression ratio checks, a technical area that has become increasingly discussed behind the scenes in recent weeks. Mercedes are believed to be determined to stay ahead of any regulatory changes while also widening the gap to their rivals before the championship battle tightens further.
Insiders believe the Canada package could include modifications to the floor design, rear suspension setup and cooling architecture, all designed to unlock better tyre management and reduce instability through medium-speed corners. If successful, the changes may directly weaken Ferrari’s long-standing advantage in race pace consistency.
The pressure is now mounting on Ferrari to respond quickly. While the Italian outfit have shown flashes of impressive speed this season, their inability to consistently match Mercedes across varying track conditions has already raised concerns within Maranello.
For Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the Canadian Grand Prix could become a defining moment in the early championship fight. Should the upgrades deliver as expected, Mercedes may once again establish themselves as the benchmark team heading into the heart of the 2026 season.