Mercedes' Quiet Bahrain Test Was a Deliberate Statement, Says Palmer

Mercedes concluded pre-season testing in Bahrain without chasing headline lap times, a move former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes was a confident statement of intent rather than a sign of weakness. While the team still faces challenges with race starts under the new 2026 power unit regulations, the drivers' satisfaction and the car's stable performance on long runs suggest the Brackley squad is holding its cards close ahead of the season opener.

Why it matters:

A team's approach to testing often reveals its confidence level and strategic priorities. Mercedes' decision to forgo late-session performance runs indicates they are satisfied with the fundamental pace and balance of their new W17, preferring to keep their ultimate potential hidden from rivals. This contrasts with teams that may feel the need to prove their speed publicly, setting an intriguing psychological backdrop for the start of the season.

The details:

• Deliberate Low-Key Finish: Palmer analyzed that Mercedes' avoidance of qualifying simulation runs at the end of testing "smacks of confidence," suggesting they feel no need to publicly show their full hand before the first race.
• Ongoing Start Issues: A key technical challenge for all teams with the new 2026 power units has been the race start procedure, exacerbated by the removal of the MGU-H which previously masked turbo lag. Mercedes' launches were notably slower than Ferrari's during the test, though George Russell did manage to defend from a faster-starting Charles Leclerc in one practice scenario.
• Driver Confidence: Reports from the garage indicate Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are "happy" and "love everything" about the new car so far, a positive sign for team morale.
• Reliability Question Mark: Palmer noted that reliability has been "a little bit more questionable" for Mercedes during testing, presenting a potential area of concern that hangs over their otherwise confident preparation.

What's next:

The true pecking order will be revealed at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. All eyes will be on whether Mercedes' testing confidence translates into competitive single-lap pace and, crucially, if they have found a solution to their race start woes. Their strategic secrecy will be put to the test against rivals like Ferrari, who demonstrated strong one-lap speed and better launches in Bahrain.