P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 rivals beware, Mercedes ‘quicker day by day’
Mercedes F1 chief Andrew Shovlin has given an update on the team’s progress for the 2026 season, revealing that they are shaping up well ahead of their rivals. Despite new regulations coming in, Mercedes has been rumored to be in a strong position to adapt and excel. At the pre-season testing in Barcelona, the team showed good form, topping the timesheets on several days and running smoothly with high reliability. With drivers Russell and Antonelli performing solidly, Shovlin praised the team’s progress, highlighting improvements in all areas leading to faster performance day-by-day. Looking ahead, Mercedes plans to focus on setup exploration in Bahrain testing to fine-tune race and qualifying readiness.
