Mercedes W17 'worked brilliantly' in Barcelona shakedown, Shovlin reports

Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin delivered a highly positive verdict on the team's first significant 2026 car test, praising the W17's reliability and the progress made during its Barcelona shakedown. The team completed an estimated 500 laps across three days with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, gathering crucial data on its all-new chassis and power unit.

Why it matters:

For a team embarking on a crucial new regulatory era, a trouble-free initial test is a vital confidence booster. The seamless running allows Mercedes to focus on performance optimization from the outset, rather than chasing fundamental reliability fixes, giving it a stable platform to build upon ahead of the season.

The details:

• Shovlin highlighted the car's impressive reliability despite featuring all-new systems, calling it a "huge testament" to the work at Brackley and Brixworth.
• The team finished its planned program a day early, a clear indicator of a smooth operation with minimal interruptions.
• Mercedes was able to methodically work through its checklist, addressing areas that needed improvement after the first day and making the car quicker progressively.
• The cold conditions in Barcelona limited useful setup work, making the upcoming Bahrain test the true proving ground for performance at relevant temperatures.

What's next:

The focus now shifts from pure system validation to performance tuning. Bahrain testing will be critical for setup exploration and ensuring all systems operate effectively in race-representative heat. The final test will then transition to full race weekend simulations, preparing the team for the competitive realities of the new season.