Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli left the Barcelona shakedown feeling cautiously optimistic about the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season. The first test under the new regulations offered an early glimpse of team performance, and Antonelli was quick to assess the reliability and pace of the competition.
Mercedes dominate early testing with strong mileage and simulations
Mercedes emerged as the team completing the most laps during the Barcelona shakedown, with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell running extensive qualifying and race simulations by the end of the week. While Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap for Ferrari, Antonelli and Mercedes insiders were careful to temper excitement, noting that single-lap times during early testing often do not reflect true race pace.
Reliability was the primary focus for all teams during the initial shakedown, particularly for newcomers such as Red Bull Powertrains and Audi, who were debuting their first power units with less experience than long-established manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari. Despite Mercedes appearing to hold an advantage in engine performance, Antonelli remained pragmatic, emphasizing that nothing could be taken for granted at this early stage.
Red Bull and Ferrari exceed expectations
When asked by Gazzetta dello Sport which team had impressed him most during the Barcelona tests, Kimi Antonelli highlighted Red Bull’s remarkable consistency and reliability, particularly considering it was the first season for their in-house power unit. The Italian driver noted that Red Bull, alongside Racing Bulls, covered significant mileage without major issues, exceeding expectations for a debut engine manufacturer.
Ferrari also stood out in terms of reliability, completing a substantial number of laps and providing a solid benchmark for the season ahead. While McLaren experienced a few minor technical setbacks, Antonelli observed that their car displayed strong aerodynamic integrity, suggesting that the team has built a competitive platform despite some initial reliability challenges.
Mercedes confidence tempered by realism
Mercedes officially launched their 2026 car on the Monday of the Barcelona test week, with Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, and team principal Toto Wolff all expressing measured optimism. However, they are fully aware that two further pre-season test sessions in Bahrain remain before the first race in Melbourne. These sessions will provide critical data as teams bring updates and refine setups, particularly for squads like Aston Martin and Williams, who still need extensive track time to optimize their cars under the new regulations.
Kimi Antonelli also noted that even teams like Alpine and Haas impressed during Barcelona due to the sheer mileage covered, while Aston Martin’s new car, designed by Adrian Newey, drew attention from competitors for its aerodynamic packaging and efficiency. Despite this, Kimi Antonelli emphasized that it is still difficult to determine the true performance hierarchy at this stage, given unknown variables such as fuel loads and engine modes used by other teams.
Looking ahead to Bahrain and Melbourne
Reflecting on Mercedes’ performance and his own experience behind the wheel of the new car, Kimi Antonelli acknowledged that early testing provides only a partial picture of the competitive landscape. He described the feel of the 2026 Mercedes car as positive and expressed eagerness to continue development during the Bahrain test sessions. The Italian’s outlook captures the cautious optimism within the Brackley-based team, balancing confidence in their early reliability and pace with an understanding that the first race in Melbourne will provide the true benchmark of performance under the new regulations.
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