Mercedes organised an event to officially launch the 2026 Formula 1 season, offering the first impressions from George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Mercedes heads into the 2026 season as one of the early favourites, and both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell have confirmed the positive feelings surrounding the team. The Barcelona tests allowed Mercedes to check the reliability of the power unit and to better understand the on-track behaviour of the W17. In Bahrain, the focus of the work will shift mainly towards set-up work and overall performance.
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell drove the 2026 Mercedes for the first time during the filming day at Silverstone and later on the Catalan circuit. The two drivers shared their initial sensations after the three days of testing, during which they took turns at the wheel of the new car.
The drivers’ feelings ahead of 2026
Russell and Antonelli gave their first feedback after driving the 2026 Mercedes in Barcelona. “I’m really excited to start the season,” the British driver underlined. “The power unit has been in production for several years. The car has been developed with a lot of hard work over the last 14 months. We have driven a lot in the simulator, but on different circuits we need to understand how to manage the power unit. We had the opportunity to drive the car at Silverstone and Barcelona. The engine is very fast, and when you use the overtake button you can feel all the extra power from the 350 kW.”
Kimi also confirmed his team-mate’s view during the event organised by Mercedes: “Last year was a great learning experience. This year will be a big opportunity for everyone, with so many new elements.”
“We learned a lot about the car in Barcelona, both us drivers and the team. There is still a lot to learn and discover, but I can’t wait to start this season. I feel much more prepared this year,” Antonelli added. Driving the car felt different in a positive way. It feels lighter and more agile. The car is fast, especially with active aerodynamics. The front wing is not as strong as the rear one, but you can feel the difference on the straights.”
The next appointment will be further test sessions, this time on a different circuit: “I enjoyed driving the car and I’m excited to get back on track in Bahrain,” the Italian driver finally concluded.
The enthusiastic feedback from George Russell and Kimi Antonelli following the Barcelona shakedown suggests that Mercedes has successfully translated its legendary hybrid expertise into a potent 2026 package. By highlighting the raw speed of the new 350kW electrical boost and the improved agility of the W17’s lighter chassis, both drivers have signaled that the Silver Arrows are ready to reclaim their spot at the front of the grid. Ultimately, while the active aerodynamics and complex energy management systems still present a steep learning curve, the team’s solid reliability in Spain provides a perfect foundation for the upcoming Bahrain tests, where the true performance potential of the W17 will finally be unleashed against its rivals.
In summary, the Mercedes camp heads into the 2026 era with high confidence, underpinned by a Power Unit that already feels like the benchmark of the new technical regulations.
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