P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A week has made a real difference for many of the F1 2026 cars, as seen at the start of the second Bahrain test
Mercedes impressed during Formula 1 testing with a mix of upgrades, showing a strong performance on track, especially with the W17 car looking sharp through corners and exhibiting good traction.
The car was consistent and metronomic during George Russell’s nine-lap run, showcasing repeatable performance and consistent handling characteristics.
Overall, the Mercedes seemed to outshine the competition, with Red Bull facing challenges in assessing its car’s traits due to driver changes and limited mileage, while McLaren and Ferrari showed advancements.
Alpine made a strong impression in the midfield, displaying consistency and improved performance, with other midfield teams facing challenges in maintaining consistent driving and encountering issues like lock-ups and less downforce.
The overall observations highlighted Mercedes as a standout on Wednesday, with Alpine also showing promise, while Red Bull and other midfield teams faced varying levels of difficulties and improvements in testing.
