OVERTAKE MODE HELPED ‘LOCK CARS TOGETHER’ IN BATTLE AT CANADIAN GP

Mercedes' Andrew Shovlin credits Formula 1's new "Overtake Mode" for the tight wheel-to-wheel battles at the Canadian Grand Prix. Introduced this year and tied to 2026 car changes, the mode allows a trailing driver within one second to harvest more energy, boosting power and making it tough for the lead car to pull away. Shovlin noted cars tended to "lock together" after an overtake, with the energy assist helping the car behind maintain close proximity.

This effect was evident in the Mercedes' early race battles, and later when Lewis Hamilton closed on Max Verstappen. Although Hamilton passed, he couldn't escape Verstappen's one-second window, keeping the Red Bull in play. Russell’s teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli also cited needing the mode to pass, even using a lapped McLaren for the boost. While not a massive lap time gain, Overtake Mode's higher top-speed threshold and increased energy deployment were crucial for executing overtakes on Montreal's long straights, promising closer racing ahead.