P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes enjoyed a strong opening day on track earlier this week in Barcelona as years of planning came to a head.
Mercedes trackside engineer Andrew Shovlin referred to the F1 2026 rule change as the team’s biggest project. The new W17 challenger had its on-track debut at Silverstone and then in Barcelona for pre-season testing. A new power unit and chassis with major aerodynamic changes were developed for the car. Shovlin highlighted the monumental effort put into the project by the team over several years.
The challenging program included work on the power unit in Brixworth and fuel development with Petronas. The team faced complexity with the new regulations requiring fresh electronic systems. With drivers Russell and Antonelli testing the car, Mercedes aimed to stay ahead of their competitors in the upcoming season. The team’s positive start in testing sessions indicated progress in their preparations for the upcoming F1 campaign.
