P1racenews AI automatic summary:
How Mercedes surpassed their own expectations in statement F1 2026 test
Mercedes exceeded their own expectations in the F1 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli completing a total of 500 laps at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. They topped the mileage charts and set new benchmark lap times, with Russell’s time of 1m16.445s remaining the fastest of the test. Despite the usual caveats about testing times, Mercedes finished 1-2 in the leaderboard for two consecutive days, showcasing their pace and reliability.
Their smooth three-day test allowed them to even explore some qualifying modes on the final day, a stage other teams were still transitioning into. Mercedes received praise for their strong mileage and reliability, with rivals taking note of their impressive performance. The knowledge gained from their customer teams, McLaren and Alpine, using the new Mercedes power unit further bolsters Mercedes’ position as favorites for the 2026 season.
