Mercedes’ 2026 race start struggles: Suzuka data suggests it's not all bad

Mercedes may have dominated the early phase of the 2026 season, but one weakness continues to shadow their otherwise commanding form: race starts.

A pattern emerging off the line

At the Japanese Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli started from pole position but dropped to sixth by the first corner after a poor launch. Team-mate George Russell also lost ground, slipping from P2 behind the McLarens and Ferraris.

Ferrari’s smaller turbo has given them a clear advantage off the line, allowing their drivers to gain crucial early momentum. The contrast has been visible, particularly in the first phase of acceleration where track position is often decided.

Suzuka ultimately ended in victory for Antonelli — aided by Ollie Bearman’s crash and the resulting safety car — underlining that Mercedes possess the pace and race craft to recover lost ground. Still, consistently surrendering positions at the start is a vulnerability that cannot be ignored.

The data tells a different story

While the optics suggest a fundamental weakness, Mercedes’ internal figures paint a more encouraging picture.

In pre-season testing, the team recorded the fastest average race starts, even against Ferrari’s headline-grabbing launches. According to a report from The Race, Antonelli’s poor getaway in Japan was described as being “down to circumstance.”

More significantly, GPS analysis indicates Mercedes’ power unit is capable of matching both Ferrari and McLaren off the line. The implication is clear: the issue may lie less with technical hardware and more with execution of the start procedure.

That distinction matters. If the performance ceiling is already there, refinement rather than reinvention is required.

A ‘big issue’ in plain sight

Toto Wolff is aware that race starts have become a talking point, and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has been particularly direct in his assessment.

Reviewing the Japanese Grand Prix start on F1’s official YouTube channel, Palmer highlighted how the Mercedes drivers were the only ones in the top eight to lose position relative to where they qualified.

“As we see this point here, there’s an interesting dynamic because what you’ve got is every car in the top eight here in the position they qualified, apart from the two Mercedes,” Palmer explained.

He continued: “But generally, Mercedes have a big issue with their starts and everyone else is fairly uniform. You’ve got Mercedes power units in the back of these two McLarens, who are both moving forward, and Piastri’s start was lightning."

“You’ve also got Mercedes power unit in the back of Gasly’s Alpine and you’ve got Mercedes power units at the back of the field with Williams as well. And both of those drivers are able to get off the line routinely well."

“So, it’s not just a Ferrari power unit that’s a rocket ship. Yes, they’re very good off the line and they’re very consistent off the line, but this is a particular problem for Mercedes right now.”

Palmer’s analysis reinforces the central theme: the limitation does not appear to be embedded in the power unit itself. Other Mercedes-powered cars are launching cleanly and gaining places.

A fixable flaw in a dominant package

There is little doubt that Mercedes currently field the strongest overall package on the grid. Three pole positions, three front-row lockouts, and three race victories underline that superiority.

But in a season where margins matter, repeatedly losing track position at the start introduces unnecessary risk. Suzuka showed that recovery is possible. The data suggests the tools are already in place.

If execution can be aligned with potential, Mercedes’ early-season dominance may become even more emphatic — and their rivals will lose one of the few windows of opportunity currently available to them.