MERCEDES TOLD TO SPEED UP F1 UPGRADES AS FERRARI PRESSURE BUILDS

Juan Pablo Montoya urges Mercedes to accelerate its F1 upgrade schedule, warning the team risks falling behind Ferrari in the intense mid-season development race. Montoya argues the Brackley squad cannot rely solely on large, infrequent packages if rivals like Ferrari are consistently bringing smaller, quicker improvements. He questioned if Mercedes' current strategy of targeting specific big upgrades for races like Canada or Silverstone is sufficient to maintain their competitive edge.

The seven-time Grand Prix winner highlighted that if Mercedes waits too long, the cumulative effect of Ferrari's incremental gains could make closing the performance gap significantly harder. Mercedes must adapt its approach to keep pace, ensuring they are not outmaneuvered in the crucial technical battle. The pressure is on for Toto Wolff's team to adjust their development cycle and deliver enhancements "quicker" as the season progresses. Their ability to respond swiftly will be key to challenging for consistent podiums and victories as the European leg of the calendar unfolds.