Mercedes pace is ‘getting scary’ as they show their hand during the second Bahrain test

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Mercedes topped the timesheets, with George Russell setting the fastest time at the start of the second week of the Bahrain Formula 1 Test.

After ending the first week of testing in Bahrain at the top of the timesheets, Mercedes carried their momentum into the second week as George Russell set the fastest time on Wednesday.

The British driver was able to complete 76 laps throughout his afternoon of running in the W17. Kimi Antonelli circulated the Bahrain International Circuit 69 times in the morning session.

Although he ended the first week of testing in first place, Antonelli slipped back into fifth place on the opening day of the second week.

George Russell starts Week 2 at the 2026 F1 Bahrain test on top! But what stood out the most?

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READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Mercedes are ‘starting to show their hand’ at the Bahrain test

It is now believed inside the Formula 1 paddock that Mercedes have finally displayed their true form on the fourth day of the Bahrain test.

After Wednesday’s track action had wrapped up, Albert Fabrega warned the paddock as he stated to ‘watch out for Mercedes’.

The former Formula 1 mechanic believes that over long runs on the C3 tyre, nobody will be able to match what Mercedes have shown during testing.

Fabrega said, “Watch out for Mercedes, they have shown their consistency and solidity in all their times and in all their spectacular runs with times that nobody has been able to match.

“Especially, with the C3 tyre, as it is the softest of the tyres that we have here in Bahrain, they are reliable and fast.

“They have found their speed over one lap, with Antonelli in the morning and Russell in the afternoon. The runs so far, as the test progresses, are getting scary.

“We left the first three days without the best times, but Mercedes has more, and it seems they are starting to show their hand.”

F1 engine tests to be changed midway through the 2026 season

Mercedes have been under scrutiny for the majority of the 2026 pre-season, as rival power unit suppliers believe their engine exceeds the 16:1 fuel compression ratio.

The FIA have tested the Mercedes engine on multiple occasions during the 2026 pre-season, and both times their power unit passed the checks.

However, after the issue was raised again on Wednesday, the 18th of February, in the F1 commission meeting, the FIA have announced a new way to test compression ratios could be introduced on the 1st of August.

The idea of the new test has been put to a vote among the F1 power unit suppliers, with the FIA expecting to know the results within the next 10 days.