Ted Kravitz says Mercedes are already planning major update in time for second Bahrain F1 test

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Mercedes entered Bahrain pre-season testing with a target on their back, but the early signs suggest they might not be as far out in front as many believed.

Toto Wolff’s outfit reportedly completed more than 500 laps during the behind-closed-doors shakedown in Barcelona before heading to Bahrain.

However, the Mercedes team principal’s tone quickly changed after watching Max Verstappen out on track for the first time.

Is Toto Wolff playing mind games with Red Bull?

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Wolff suggested Red Bull are now the fastest team in the paddock, although both outfits have faced their own struggles over the first two days of running.

Kimi Antonelli’s running has been severely limited so far, while Isack Hadjar managed just one lap during the morning session of day two due to a hydraulics issue.

Mercedes aren’t slowing down off the track either, and Ted Kravitz has shared what the Silver Arrows are planning to do next ahead of the second three-day test at the Bahrain International Circuit.

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

Mercedes planning to use third different chassis during 2026 Bahrain pre-season F1 test

Kravitz was reporting on proceedings in Bahrain on Ted’s Notebook (11/2 8:49 pm), and describing the situation at Mercedes, he said: “Mercedes, as I say, have they got the sandbags out? Have they realised that the pace in Barcelona was a little bit, let’s just say, it didn’t serve them right.

“They only did 86 laps today. They got the laps in, but they did have a problem after lunch.

“So, George Russell 56 laps, P6, Kimi Antonelli P11 and 30 laps.

“They were slower than Barcelona. George was doing some longer runs in the morning. Then they found an issue.

“They hoped to be out later on with Kimi Antonelli; they were. But yeah, otherwise it all seems to be OK.

“This, I believe, I understand is chassis number two on the Mercedes, and they’ll actually bring a third chassis to the Bahrain number two test.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff

What’s going wrong for Kimi Antonelli during Mercedes pre-season testing

Russell got off to a decent start on Wednesday morning, completing 56 laps in the morning session before handing over the car to Antonelli.

He was sixth-fastest on the day and 1.4 seconds off Lando Norris’ best time; however, Antonelli didn’t enjoy the same success.

The Italian teenager had to deal with a suspension issue during his Wednesday running, managing only 30 laps and was 11th on the time sheets, behind the likes of Nico Hulkenberg and Alex Albon.

Antonelli was expected to be in the car on Thursday morning, but after three laps and without setting a competitive time, he was out of the car and done for the day.

“It was a PU issue for Mercedes, which limited Kimi Antonelli’s running this morning,” explained Lawrence Barretto, reporting from the pit lane for the official F1 website..

“Mercedes are switching the PU, and they hope to be out a little after green light to still give them a chance of getting some good running in.”

Mercedes decided to stick to their schedule, meaning Russell was in the car on Thursday afternoon and will be on track in the morning on Friday.

Preparations for the 2026 season have stuttered for Antonelli, but with a new chassis to look forward at the next test, there are still reasons to be optimistic.