Jonas Leo
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team has commenced its 2026 pre-season shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a notably robust performance, culminating in junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli successfully completing a full race simulation on the second day of testing. This early display of reliability and operational efficiency signals a potentially strong foundation for the Silver Arrows as they navigate the significant technical shifts mandated by the upcoming regulations.
The newly unveiled Mercedes W17 chassis demonstrated consistent performance across its initial runs, proving dependable on both Monday and Wednesday’s sessions. On Wednesday, the focus was sharply divided between established driver George Russell and the highly-touted Italian prodigy, Antonelli. Russell began the day by meticulously accumulating 92 laps by lunchtime, diligently working through the team’s initial testing program under brisk track conditions, with temperatures reported as low as two degrees Celsius. This extensive data collection focused primarily on long runs and proving out the new Mercedes HPP power unit’s fundamental functionality and endurance.
Following Russell’s morning stint, Antonelli took the wheel, embarking on an equally impressive afternoon. The 17-year-old, widely considered a future star and potential successor to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, reeled off 91 laps. Critically, these laps included what he described as a complete race simulation, a remarkable feat for a driver on only his second half-day in the new car. Antonelli’s ability to immediately adapt and execute such a demanding program underscores both his inherent talent and the car’s apparent stability.
"I did a lot of laps and was able to do a race sim, which was nice and the most important thing is that we did a lot of laps, a lot of mileage and a lot of data for the team. It was a good day overall," Antonelli remarked, highlighting the team’s primary objectives for these initial closed-door tests. He also offered insights into the car’s characteristics: "This car is completely new and it’s quite a big step compared to last year’s car. So whenever you go in the car, you have a bit more confidence and then throughout the stint you learn more about the car, you understand the limitations or where you can push a bit more. So, it’s a constant learning every time you go on track." This sentiment resonates with the significant rule changes for 2026, which introduce a radical overhaul to power unit regulations and active aerodynamics, demanding a steep learning curve for both teams and drivers.
Related News :
- McLaren Apologizes for Double Disqualification in Las Vegas, Citing Unexpected Porpoising and Vehicle Damage.
- Formula 1’s 2026 Engine Rules Under Early Fire as Mercedes, Red Bull Powertrains Face Scrutiny Over Compression Ratio Interpretation
- Helmut Marko Underscores Unrivaled Rapport with Max Verstappen Amidst Red Bull Departure
- Ferrari Battles Perceptions of Crisis as Constructors’ Standings Slip Amidst Late-Season Challenges
- Racing Bulls Takes Disciplinary Action After Staff Member Appears to Incite Booing Against Lando Norris at Brazilian Grand Prix
The 2026 Formula 1 regulations are poised to be one of the most transformative in recent memory, with the power unit architecture shifting to an almost 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power. The electrical component will be boosted to a massive 350kW, requiring innovative energy management strategies. Coupled with the introduction of active aerodynamics designed to reduce drag on straights and increase downforce in corners, these cars represent a fundamental departure from their predecessors. For Mercedes, a team that enjoyed unparalleled dominance during the initial hybrid era (2014-2021) but has struggled to regain its championship-winning form since the 2022 ground-effect regulations, a solid start to the 2026 development cycle is paramount. Their performance in Barcelona suggests that their Brackley and Brixworth facilities are diligently tackling these complex challenges.
George Russell echoed Antonelli’s positive feedback, emphasizing the importance of the accumulated mileage. "We got a huge amount of laps in today between Kimi and I, which was great," he stated. "The track was two degrees this morning, so I think maybe one of the coldest track temps I’ve ever driven in, but everything went really smoothly and just sort of getting through our test programme. We’re just enjoying seeing the progress that we’re making and hoping it will be enough to put us in a good place." Russell, a Grand Prix winner and a key figure in Mercedes’ current lineup, provides valuable experienced feedback alongside Antonelli’s fresh perspective. His remarks underscore the team’s meticulous approach to validating components and systems rather than chasing headline-grabbing lap times at this nascent stage.
While lap times in the 1m17s range were unofficially noted for both drivers, the team rightfully dismissed their immediate relevance. These early shakedowns are not about outright pace, but rather about verifying the fundamental functionality of the new car’s systems, ensuring reliability, and gathering initial correlations between simulation data and real-world performance. The fact that Mercedes has seemingly managed to run a high number of laps without significant issues and complete a race simulation indicates a strong start to their operational readiness.
Mercedes’ customer teams, McLaren and Alpine, were also actively participating in the Barcelona shakedown, logging crucial miles with the new Mercedes HPP power unit. This collaborative testing provides Mercedes-HPP with an even broader dataset for engine validation, a strategic advantage as they supply multiple teams. Notably, Williams was the sole Mercedes-powered team absent from this particular phase of the Barcelona shakedown. The presence of other major manufacturers like Ferrari, Red Bull (with Honda RBPT), and Audi also testing their 2026 prototypes simultaneously, albeit under strict confidentiality, highlights the intense development race already underway.
Looking ahead, Mercedes has confirmed its intention to utilize its third and final allotted day of testing this week on Thursday. Both Russell and Antonelli suggested that this session might allow the Silver Arrows to begin exploring the car’s performance envelope with qualifying simulations. This will present a new challenge, particularly in managing the sustained deployment of the massive 350kW of electrical energy over a single qualifying lap. "We’re focused a lot on long runs and just proving out the power unit," Russell explained. "We’ll probably look at sort of more qualifying style runs tomorrow. That’s going to be very different getting to use that 350 kilowatts over the course of a full lap, full beans, and that’s going to have a different reaction on the car compared to the long run. So, we’ll probably have a first look at that tomorrow." This shift towards understanding peak performance capability will be the next crucial step in Mercedes’ comprehensive pre-season program. The early warning signs for the competition are clear: Mercedes appears to have its operational house in order for the demanding 2026 regulations.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
Latest entries
F1January 29, 2026Mercedes-AMG Petronas Initiates 2026 F1 Pre-Season with Impressive Reliability and Strategic Race Simulation in Barcelona
F1January 28, 2026Ferrari’s Delay in Appointing Lewis Hamilton’s Permanent Race Engineer for 2026 Draws Scrutiny from Karun Chandhok
F1January 28, 2026Ferrari’s 2026 Challenger Debuts in Challenging Barcelona Rain, Hamilton Notes Significant Regulation Shift
F1January 27, 2026F1 announces new partnership with Standard Chartered as support expands to F1 Academy
Ali Akbar Rosady
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin