Mercedes W17 runs 'faultlessly' in Barcelona shakedown, exceeding mileage targets

Mercedes has completed an unexpectedly high number of laps with its new W17 car during the Barcelona shakedown, with trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin reporting the car ran 'faultlessly' on its second day of running. The team's primary loss of track time came not from its own issues, but from red flags caused by rival teams breaking down.

Why it matters:

For a team launching an all-new car under radically changed technical regulations, early reliability is paramount. Mercedes gathering more data than anticipated provides a crucial head start in understanding its 2026 package before the competitive pressure of Bahrain testing begins. This smooth start contrasts with the struggles of some rivals and suggests a solid operational foundation for the season ahead.

The details:

• Mercedes ran on Day One and Day Three of the five-day Barcelona shakedown, which is closed to the public and features unofficial timing.
• On Day Three, both George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli completed full race distances, with Antonelli reportedly logging 91 laps and Russell 92.
• Unofficial reports placed Antonelli fastest on the day with a 1:17.362, ahead of Russell and McLaren's Lando Norris.
• Shovlin confirmed the team is "a bit ahead of where we hoped to be" on mileage, having completed 333 laps over its first two days.
• The main disruption to Mercedes' program came from red flags triggered by other teams, specifically Audi and Haas, during the Wednesday session.
• Driver feedback on the new, lighter, and more nimble 2026-spec car has been positive, with Shovlin noting the drivers find it "a nicer thing to drive than the previous regulations."

What's next:

The true competitive picture remains unclear until qualifying in Bahrain. Shovlin tempered optimism by stating that driver happiness "will come down to whether they’re quick or not," and that real performance assessment will push into the official Bahrain test. However, a faultless shakedown with abundant mileage gives Mercedes a valuable data trove to refine the W17, positioning the team strongly for the final pre-season preparations.