Norris Dismisses Hamilton’s ‘Party Mode’ Claim as Mercedes’ Qualifying Edge Prompts Questions

FIA rules require a single ICE mode per competitive lap, leaving the cause of Mercedes’ Saturday surge unresolved.

Overview

After qualifying in China, Lewis Hamilton said Mercedes “switch” to another mode from Q2 that feels like the old party mode.
Lando Norris, the reigning champion driving a Mercedes-powered McLaren, flatly denied any such setting exists.
FIA Technical Regulations Article C5.23 mandate a single ICE mode during each competitive lap, which bars session-specific engine maps.
Mercedes has been quickest in all 2026 qualifying sessions, with gaps expanding into Q3 by roughly six tenths on average.
No official inquiry has been reported, with explanations debated from energy deployment to tyre execution; Mercedes also leads the standings with 98 of 103 points after two rounds.