Mercedes drivers speak out after bitterly divided F1 qualifying session in Singapore

During Friday’s Sprint qualifying shootout at the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the 2026 Formula 1 season, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team implemented a split-specification aerodynamic strategy. The team deliberately equipped their two cars with different packages to facilitate a comparative data collection exercise.

This tactical decision resulted in a divided qualifying session for the Mercedes drivers. The move highlights an ongoing internal technical evaluation as the team seeks to optimize performance during the current season.