What ‘senior figures’ at Mercedes are saying about 2026 chances after imperious form in testing

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Mercedes has sent a clear warning shot across the paddock during F1’s inaugural 2026 pre-season test. While rivals are grappling with the complexities of the new power unit regulations, the Silver Arrows have made it look remarkably easy so far.

As of Thursday afternoon, Mercedes remain the benchmark for the rest of the grid in terms of lap times and reliability.

No other team has clocked in as much mileage as them, and the German constructor is well and truly playing into their reputation as a class-leader in new engine regulations.

Kimi Antonelli has shared his satisfaction with the W17 from the stints he has served in the cockpit, which certainly bodes well for him to add to the three podiums he claimed in his rookie campaign last year.

Despite the obvious sentiment being that Mercedes will be somewhere around the top of the standings come the start of the season, senior figures at the team have been careful not to disclose too much.

• READ MORE: Ralf Schumacher tells Ferrari to ‘keep their mouths shut’ instead of complaining about Mercedes’ car

Kimi Antonelli sets the new fastest lap of the test! Will this be beaten by Friday evening? 🤔

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‘Senior figures’ at Mercedes continue to downplay Mercedes’ impressive form in Barcelona shakedown

According to Sky Sports F1’s Craig Slater, leadership figures at Brackley have continued to toe the line in response to any claims that Mercedes will replicate their form from the beginning of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014.

On the broadcaster’s live blog, the presenter wrote, “Mercedes are justified favourites – someone has to be – based on 2014.

“Yet there are key differences to 2014 as senior figures at Mercedes have reminded me. The all-round reliability of the other engines is far better than back then – that was clear from day one in Barcelona, albeit we are yet to see the new Honda unit run. 

“McLaren’s Andrea Stella himself noted the better protections for customer teams within the rules now compared to then – everyone has the same modes, etc.

“McLaren have the recent record of bringing in-season updates to make a difference. I have a feeling Norris and Piastri will both win races again this year and may take the fight to Russell and Antonelli.”

One startling statistic shows just how well-prepared Mercedes was for the inaugural week of testing.

Following the end of the day on Wednesday, it had emerged that the Mercedes W17 clocked a faster top speed than what was seen during the 2025 Spanish GP.

• READ MORE: Red Bull have taken Mercedes and Ferrari’s ‘trick’ to the ‘extreme’ with Max Verstappen’s 2026 car

Craig Slater also noted that McLaren are back at ‘base camp’ after climbing Mount Everest last year

One of the more interesting aspects of Mercedes’ impressive engine performance is how it will benefit McLaren as they look to retain their constructors’ title again.

According to Slater, they are back starting from square one, but one shouldn’t look past the improvements they have the potential to make as the season continues.

He said, “The kind of guidance I’ve had from [McLaren] has been that having ‘climbed Everest’ by becoming a customer team double constructors’ champions and taking the drivers’ championship last year, they are now back at ‘base camp’. 

“That’s fair enough. However, winning is a habit, and the expertise Zak Brown has assembled is a formidable technical team. 

“Andrea Stella and Rob Marshall have a very clear plan for how to go about this year and a confidence that they can improve their car in season.”