P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes enjoyed a highly successful shakedown test in Barcelona, tallying 500 laps across three days.
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has detailed the team’s strategy for the upcoming Bahrain pre-season test, following a successful Barcelona shakedown where George Russell and Kimi Antonelli completed 502 laps.
The team has achieved all of its objectives during the first two days of on-track action, after conducting a shakedown at Silverstone prior to the Barcelona event.
Shovlin emphasized the success of both outings, stating that Mercedes has effectively ticked all the necessary boxes.
The upcoming Bahrain tests, scheduled for February 11 – 13 and February 18 – 20, will focus on optimizing the car’s performance, exploring setup options, and ensuring the systems run effectively at operating temperatures.
The Bahrain tests will serve as a platform for Mercedes to fine-tune race preparations, including qualifying and race simulations, to be ready for the challenges of the upcoming Formula 1 season.
