Mercedes has delivered a powerful begin to the 2026 System 1 pre-season as Andrea Kimi Antonelli accomplished a full race simulation on day two.
The Mercedes W17 ran reliably on each Monday and Wednesday, with George Russell having accomplished 92 laps by lunchtime yesterday earlier than handing over the automobile to Antonelli. The teen then reeled off 91 laps after the break, together with what he stated was a whole race simulation on solely his second half-day within the automobile.
Mercedes’ two prospects groups McLaren and Alpine have additionally been racking up the miles with the brand new Mercedes HPP energy unit, with simply Williams absent from the Barcelona shakedown.
Antonelli and Russell additionally led the timesheets with laptimes within the 1m17 vary, however these occasions are unofficial and stay fully irrelevant this week. What actually issues is that the primary warning indicators for the competitors are there that Mercedes appears to have its home so as.
“I did loads of laps and was capable of do a race sim, which was good and an important factor is that we did loads of laps, loads of mileage and loads of information for the group. It was a very good day total,” the Italian remarked.
“This automobile is totally new and it is fairly a giant step in comparison with final yr’s automobile. So everytime you go within the automobile, you’ve got a bit extra confidence after which all through the stint you study extra concerning the automobile, you perceive the restrictions or the place you’ll be able to push a bit extra. So, it is a fixed studying each time you go on monitor.”
Russell was equally buoyed by the spectacular mileage Mercedes has been capable of cowl from the beginning. “We bought an enormous quantity of laps in in the present day between Kimi and I, which was nice,” he stated. “The monitor was two levels this morning, so I believe perhaps one of many coldest monitor temps I’ve ever pushed in, however all the things went actually easily and simply type of getting via our take a look at programme.
“We’re simply having fun with seeing the progress that we’re making and hoping it is going to be sufficient to place us in a very good place.”
Mercedes has since confirmed it should additionally run on Thursday, which shall be its final of the three days that groups are allowed to run over the week. Its drivers instructed the Silver Arrows may already begin having a primary have a look at qualifying modes with the brand new energy unit, and the problem of deploying its huge 350kW electrical power over a single qualifying lap.
“We’re centered loads on lengthy runs and simply proving out the facility unit. We’ll most likely have a look at type of extra qualifying type runs tomorrow.” Russell defined after his runs on Wednesday. “That is going to be very totally different getting to make use of that 350 kilowatts over the course of a full lap, full beans, and that is going to have a special response on the automobile in comparison with the long term. So, we’ll most likely have a primary have a look at that tomorrow.”‘
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
Barcelona shakedown, in photos
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Barcelona shakedown, in photos
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