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As the inaugural shakedown of the 2026 Formula 1 season comes to a close, Mercedes look to have had the most successful week of testing out of everyone else on the grid. In doing so, they have caught the attention of everybody in attendance.
The Silver Arrows have entered F1’s new era of regulations with a chip on their shoulder.
After their dominance dwindled upon the onset of the ground-effect era, a new engine formula has arrived, and they may be on their way back up to the top of the F1 standings.
Over three days of testing that Mercedes conducted at the Circuit de Catalunya this week, they seemed to be the only constructor on the grid not to have run into any issues.
The Brackley-based team were even able to flex the power of their new F1 engine, after it had emerged that Kimi Antonelli recorded a higher top speed than what was seen at the 2025 edition of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Of course, it is still very much early days to be making concrete statements, but according to those inside the F1 paddock, the German constructor has a lot to be excited about.
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The ‘entire body language’ of Mercedes’ engineers has lifted as they set the benchmark in F1 testing
According to F1 journalist Thomas Maher, Mercedes’ performance at the Montmelo-based circuit has caught the attention of everybody in attendance.
Posting to the Bluesky social media network, he wrote, “From everything I’m hearing from paddock sources, Mercedes is the team everyone has their eye on at the moment.
“Have heard that Merc is already at the point of setup evaluation rather than total reliability and procedural focus, as might be expected at the shakedown stage.”
In a separate post, Maher added, “‘Super focused and sharp’ is how one senior source from another team described Mercedes, with others saying the entire body language of Merc personnel has lifted, with purpose.”
Figures from Mercedes have tried to keep a lid on things to save themselves from any premature verdicts, but it’s clear to see that they have developed a respectable package from the early benchmarks.
In his attempt to play the Devil’s Advocate, Martin Brundle highlighted a ‘problem’ that Mercedes have experienced in recent years, noting that it’s far too soon to see whether they have eliminated it or not.
- READ MORE: Ralf Schumacher tells Ferrari to ‘keep their mouths shut’ instead of complaining about Mercedes’ car
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Martin Brundle thinks George Russell is one of the favourites for the 2026 F1 title
Despite the hesitancy to give a verdict based on the timings that have emerged out of F1’s behind-closed-doors test, Brundle previously pointed towards George Russell as a title favourite for the upcoming campaign.
During an appearance at the 2026 Autosport Awards, the iconic F1 pundit told journalists that the British driver will be fancying his chances to claim a maiden world title for himself this season.
Russell is widely regarded as the most talented driver on the grid without a championship to his name, and with him now heading into his fifth year with the works Mercedes team, he could be looking at his first opportunity to claim one.
It remains to be seen whether anyone else is quite as strong as the Silver Arrows, but there is still a lot of testing to be done before the grid reconvenes in Australia for the first round of the new season.
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