Mercedes Revives Engine Trick, Leaves McLaren Scratching Head

Mercedes brought back a foot‑off‑the‑throttle maneuver at Silverstone that was banned after the Chinese Grand Prix, claiming it gives the car a power boost in the final straight. The team says the brief lift of the accelerator allows extra torque without violating FIA regulations.

McLaren’s technical director Andrea Stella expressed surprise, questioning whether the change is merely a reliability fix or a genuine performance gain. The episode adds fresh tension to the rivalry as the season progresses.