Mercedes made seven major updates to its W17 Formula 1 car at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, marking the largest set of changes since May. The German team is not content with merely maintaining its current advantage as it heads into the 2026 season. During the Bahrain Grand Prix, held in Malaysia, the team unveiled its most significant updates in over four months, modifying seven components on the cars of drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Their goal is clear: to strengthen their already strong position in both the drivers' and constructors' championships. Antonelli currently leads Russell by 66 points in the drivers' standings, while Lewis Hamilton, from a rival team, is 103 points ahead. In the constructors' standings, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 160 points, with McLaren 72 points behind. The core of Mercedes' updates focused on the floor of the W17, a crucial part of modern Formula 1 cars for generating aerodynamic downforce. Engineers revised several areas of the floor, including the deck, leading edge, ends, and the main body. They also worked on the rear of the car, modifying the suspension and optimizing the wings around the brake ducts. These changes totaled seven different components for the Malaysian race weekend. The last time Mercedes introduced such a significant update package was at the Canadian Grand Prix in May. Since then, Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull have continued to make regular updates, while Mercedes has taken a more spaced-out approach. Toto Wolff, the team principal, explained that this strategy was due to financial constraints. Mercedes lacked the resources to constantly produce new parts and chose to spread its developments throughout the season. Other teams also brought updates, but none matched the scale of Mercedes' changes. McLaren adapted its engine cover to meet the cooling demands of the Malaysian circuit, where temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C. Red Bull introduced a new modification to its floor, while Ferrari focused on a wing at the rear diffuser, responding to concerns from driver Charles Leclerc about the progress of other teams. In the midfield, Racing Bulls modified their front and rear wings, while Haas evolved its rear impact structure. Alpine made changes to the front brake ducts to improve cooling, a necessary step after the first practice session saw track temperatures over 58°C. In contrast, Williams, Aston Martin, Audi, and Cadillac announced no new parts for the weekend. Mercedes is placing a large focus on technical improvements for Sepang. However, George Russell warned that a dramatic gain of a second or a revolution in performance should not be expected. The updates aim to increase downforce while maintaining the W17's strong straight-line speed. With already large leads in both championships, Mercedes could become even more dominant if these changes deliver the expected results.