Mercedes ahead of schedule with 'faultless' W17 in Barcelona testing

Mercedes has completed a highly productive and trouble-free pre-season test in Barcelona, with trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin stating the team is ahead of its planned programme. The W17 proved exceptionally reliable, allowing the team to amass over 300 laps in two days and gather crucial data with its new electrical systems, while drivers reported positive initial feedback on the car's handling.

Why it matters:

A smooth and extensive pre-season test is a critical foundation for any championship campaign. For Mercedes, which has struggled with unpredictable and difficult cars under the current regulations, a faultless start with strong driver feedback signals a potential return to a more stable and competitive platform. This early operational success builds confidence and provides a valuable data head start before the competitive order is truly revealed in Bahrain.

The details:

• Impressive Mileage: The team's strategy of running on Monday and Wednesday paid off, with the W17 logging 183 laps on Wednesday alone. The two-day total exceeded 300 laps, putting Mercedes ahead of its internal mileage targets.
• Exceptional Reliability: Shovlin highlighted the lack of "teething problems," noting the car worked "faultlessly." Track time was lost only due to red flags caused by other teams, not from any issues on the Mercedes.
• Data Calibration Focus: With all-new electrical systems, the team's primary technical focus was ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data being collected, a process Shovlin said they are steadily "bottoming out."
• Positive Driver Impressions: Both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli provided encouraging feedback. Shovlin reported the car is "a nicer thing to drive" than its predecessors, being lighter and responding well in both low and high-speed corners with a decent balance.

What's next:

While the early signs are positive, Shovlin remains pragmatic, noting that true happiness will depend on outright pace. The final day in Barcelona may offer hints, but the real assessment of where Mercedes stands against rivals like Red Bull and Ferrari will begin at the season opener in Bahrain. The team now moves to translate this solid foundation into performance when the stopwatches matter most.