2 min learnFeb 14, 2026 12:24 AM IST
Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell had been the quickest on the finish of three days of Formulation 1 preseason testing in Bahrain on Friday.
Antonelli topped the afternoon session, changing Russell behind the wheel. Russell led the way in which within the morning because the groups can run just one automotive on observe within the check.
Three extra days of testing are scheduled subsequent week in Bahrain, after a secretive “shakedown” check in Spain final month.
Russell mentioned Mercedes nonetheless has work to do earlier than the primary race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix on March 8.
“Barcelona was very easy, and doubtless smoother than we really anticipated, when it comes to reliability, when it comes to efficiency,” he mentioned. “We’ve received to Bahrain and in each regards we’ve taken a step again.
“We’ve received one other check, a month till Melbourne. We’re clearly very centered on the efficiency however you’ve additionally received to complete the race if you wish to struggle for the outcome. Being a driver, you’re all the time centered on the efficiency, and a variety of the group members are actually centered on reliability and dealing laborious on that.”
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton examined for the whole day and was second to Antonelli by greater than half a second.
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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri additionally participated in each periods and positioned fourth. Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar adopted.
The drivers are testing new vehicles amid sweeping adjustments for 2026 which have made vehicles smaller and lighter and highlighted the technique of charging an on-board battery and utilizing electrical vitality to spice up velocity.
Hadjar praised group’s new energy unit, saying it “appears to this point dependable, highly effective, so I’m very glad to this point. Very shocked already from the Barcelona shakedown to right here, like what number of laps we managed to attain.
“It simply appears simpler to push to the restrict in comparison with final yr’s automotive. It’s a bit slower basically, and likewise lighter, smaller.”
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Charles Leclerc led the way in which for Ferrari on Thursday, going quickest by half a second from champion Lando Norris. On Wednesday, Norris topped the sphere.