Mercedes tops testing in Barcelona ahead of 2026 season
Mercedes has emerged as the standout performer from the Barcelona shakedown, recording an impressive 500 laps during the five-day event in Spain, reports BritPanorama.
The Silver Arrows comfortably led the mileage charts, with Ferrari following in second place, completing 440 laps. While lap times were not a primary focus of the testing period—teams concentrated instead on reliability checks and data collection for the new 2026 machinery—Mercedes’ capacity for consistent running without significant issues positions them as early frontrunners.
Having struggled with the new ground-effect regulations in previous seasons, Mercedes appears to have made substantial progress with the dramatically different technical package set for 2026. This adaptability has been a central theme of their pre-season approach.
Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle noted the significance of Mercedes’ performance as they enter the new season. “You can’t ignore the relentless pace and reliability that they’ve had. So, clearly, they’ve got a really good, cohesive package,” he stated, emphasising that the team deserves serious attention moving forward.
However, Brundle advised caution against jumping to conclusions based on winter testing alone. He remarked that it is “too early” to categorically assess any team’s performance, indicating that Mercedes may have found “the sweet spot” of their new car’s setup in these initial stages.
Brundle also highlighted potential variables, particularly regarding how the car would perform under different temperature conditions. The distinctive design of the Aston Martin, aimed at enhancing airflow, drew considerable attention despite the team completing just 65 laps— the lowest of all teams present.
Fernando Alonso, testing the new machinery for Aston Martin, expressed satisfaction with his experience, stating that the “car is responding well.” He commended the team’s efforts for participating in the Barcelona event, acknowledging the challenges of their compressed preparation schedule and noting the disparity in readiness between his team and competitors who had prior shakedowns.
Overall, as teams gear up for a new era in Formula 1, the early showing from Mercedes raises the stakes and sets the stage for a competitive season ahead. It is a reminder of how quickly perceptions can shift in the fast-paced world of motorsport, where consistency may be the key to success.
