P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The initial evidence and impressions of Formula 1’s blurry emerging 2026 picture point to Mercedes making an ominous start
Initial evidence and impressions of the emerging 2026 Formula 1 season suggest that Mercedes has made a strong start, avoiding past issues from the ground-effect era. Despite being touted as the early favorite last year, the reality of Mercedes’ performance was uncertain until cars hit the track. The feedback from the recent Barcelona test session has only strengthened the positive sentiment towards Mercedes’ W17 car and engine. George Russell’s humorous comment about the new car not being a “turd” was confirmed by team boss Toto Wolff, indicating a good start for Mercedes. The team is encouraged by early testing results, focusing on the car’s performance and reliability rather than lap times. Mercedes seems confident in avoiding unforeseen problems like those faced during the ground-effect era, leaving them with a positive outlook for the upcoming season. Russell expressed satisfaction with the car’s performance, noting that it aligns closely with expectations based on simulations, signaling a promising start for Mercedes in 2026.
