Mercedes line-up for Bahrain tests: Russell and Antonelli on track every day
Favorites arrive
After setting the record for most laps completed during the Barcelona shakedown test, and with all internal paddock rumors pointing to Mercedes as the clear favorite for the new Formula 1 season, the team heads into the Bahrain tests starting tomorrow morning at the Sakhir circuit with all eyes on them. The W17 will need to continue proving its reliability, while the Brackley squad will likely begin focusing on outright performance, which naturally took a back seat in Barcelona.
Morning-afternoon split
Mercedes has opted for a different approach in dividing work between its two drivers—George Russell and Kimi Antonelli—compared to Haas, which was the first team to announce its test line-up. Both the Briton and the Italian will be in the car for all three days, alternating sessions between morning and afternoon. The Englishman will start the sessions on Wednesday and Friday, with Kimi Antonelli taking over in the afternoon. On Thursday, their roles will be reversed.
There is naturally also anticipation to see how Kimi Antonelli will fare after his road accident—fortunately without consequences—over the weekend in San Marino, where the young Bolognese talent was involved.
Mercedes’ decision to have both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli share the car daily demonstrates a strategic desire to keep both drivers in a consistent rhythm as they refine the W17. By alternating sessions, the team can gather diverse feedback across changing track temperatures and conditions, which will be vital for maintaining their status as the early favorites for the 2026 title. All eyes will now be on Sakhir to see if the Silver Arrows can translate their Barcelona reliability into the dominant pace many expect, while also confirming that Antonelli is ready for the rigors of F1 following his recent off-track scare.
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