Russell Praises Rivals' Smooth 2026 Engine Start in Barcelona

Mercedes driver George Russell expressed surprise at how smoothly the first 2026 power unit tests went for rival manufacturers during a closed-door shakedown in Barcelona, admitting competitors were doing "some impressive things" despite the radical new regulations.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season introduces the most significant technical overhaul in recent F1 history, with new cars, active aerodynamics, and a 50/50 split between electric power and biofuel. A trouble-free initial test for engine manufacturers, especially the new entrants, is a crucial and positive early indicator for the competitive health and technological readiness of the grid ahead of the new era.

The details:

• The Barcelona test, held from January 26-30 away from media scrutiny, was the first track running for the 2026-spec power units and cars.
• Mercedes' mileage: The Silver Arrows are believed to have completed the most laps—an unofficial tally of around 500—across the three days, generating positive early hype.
• Newcomer reliability: Both the new Red Bull Ford and Audi power units ran with notably few setbacks, impressing observers given their development from scratch.
• Established players: The Mercedes and Ferrari engines also appeared to run without major issues, while Aston Martin's limited running with the Honda PU provided less clear data.
• Russell's comments highlight that the anticipated struggle for new power unit suppliers did not materialize in this first outing, setting an intriguing precedent.

What's next:

The real benchmark will come during the official pre-season tests in Bahrain in February. From there, the competitive order will begin to crystallize ahead of the season opener in Australia on March 8. As Russell noted, it's early days, but the surprisingly smooth Barcelona session has raised expectations and added an intriguing layer to the pre-season narrative.