Mercedes suffer “reality check” in Bahrain F1 test with Red Bull ahead – Russell

Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell says his squad is now on the back foot as Red Bull is the “team to beat” at the start of 2026.
Mercedes was put on the pedestal before the start of pre-season testing amid rumours over its powerful new engine, and its reliable running in Barcelona’s shakedown did little to dispel that the Brackley-based squad was poised to kick off the new rules era on …Keep reading

McLaren pleas for “imperative” safety changes before start of F1 2026

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has urged Formula 1 to agree to several refinements to the 2026 power unit rules to improve the show and general safety.
F1’s shift to power units with a much bigger electric component, close to 50% of the total power output, has caused trepidation for many months. But as cars finally hit the track in anger at Barcelona’s shakedown and Bahrain’s official first …Keep reading

F1 Bahrain pre-season test: Antonelli leads Russell in Mercedes 1-2 on day three

Mercedes reaffirmed belief that it is the team to beat in Formula 1 this year after Andrea Kimi Antonelli topped a Silver Arrows 1-2 on the final day of this week’s 2026 Bahrain pre-season test. 
The 19-year-old set a 1m33.669s, which was 0.249s quicker than team-mate George Russell, who topped the morning session before Antonelli jumped in the W17 post-lunch. 
So, it was the perfect way …Keep reading