Wolff says Mercedes lack funds to match rivals' upgrade pace

Mercedes dominated the first half of the season with six consecutive victories, but Ferrari and McLaren have closed the gap after substantial car upgrades, each securing two wins in the following six races. Team principal Toto Wolff said the team does not have enough money to fund continuous development and must allocate resources carefully throughout the year. He noted that while all teams operate under a $215 million budget cap, spending patterns differ, and rivals might shift their investment focus toward the season's end.

Wolff pointed to the next major upgrade planned for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with a potential engine change at Monza to maximize performance. He also addressed criticism from rivals, emphasizing that Mercedes will continue to develop within its financial limits. Competing teams, including McLaren’s Andrea Stella, argued that upcoming cost-cap allowances could enable further upgrades for all parties.