P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The Mercedes driver has logged a field-high 453 laps across Barcelona and the first Bahrain pre-season test.
George Russell has identified a significant issue with the 2026 F1 cars, likening it to an unusual supermarket scenario. Due to the energy requirements of the new power units, drivers must use lower gears in corners to charge their batteries effectively. While this technique makes braking less stable, the benefits of having extra energy reserves outweigh the drawbacks. Russell explained that the cars are not originally designed to be driven in this manner, comparing it to driving around a supermarket roundabout in first gear instead of third. Despite the challenges, Russell and other drivers are adapting to this new driving style to maximize the potential of these high-performance cars.
