Antonelli tops 2026 F1 testing in Bahrain for Mercedes despite reliability issues, focusing on energy management and setup before Melbourne
Photo Credit: Mercedes F1 Team

Antonelli encouraged by progress despite disrupted 2026 F1 Testing in Bahrain

Kimi Antonelli endured a frustrating build-up to his second F1 campaign, as persistent reliability issues derailed much of his 2026 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The Italian spent long spells confined to the Mercedes garage across the opening two days of testing, managing just over 30 laps while rivals gathered crucial data. It left his programme…

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Russell 2026 F1 Bahrain Testing
Photo Credit: Mercedes F1 Team

Russell on Mercedes’ progress and setbacks at 2026 F1 Bahrain testing

Following the end of the first 2026 F1 Bahrain test, George Russell highlighted that the Mercedes W17 car revealed its challenges, despite a previously smooth Barcelona Shakedown. Notably, Russell’s lap times improved steadily over the three-day test at the Bahrain International Circuit, with a total of 188 laps completed. The Brit finished Day 1 in…

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Max Verstappen accuses Mercedes of extreme sandbagging during Bahrain Testing, claiming their 2026 F1 engine advantage is far greater.
Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen alleges Mercedes F1 sandbagging in engine controversy

The final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain has exposed the deep rift in the F1 paddock, and Max Verstappen has officially broken his silence on the “compression ratio” controversy, accusing Mercedes of extreme sandbagging to influence the FIA’s upcoming regulatory decisions on their engine. While the physical testing of the 2026 machines continues, a…

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BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive during day one of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 11, 2026 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull-Ford 2026 engine labelled “the benchmark” after appearance at F1 pre-season Bahrain test

Following Red Bull’s performance on track on Day 1 of the F1 pre-season tests in Bahrain, the team’s 2026 engine was labelled as “the benchmark” by many of its rivals on the grid. Most notably, Mercedes’ Team Principal, Toto Wolff, has openly praised the Red Bull-Ford power unit’s performance on track. A new era for…

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Willams’s James Vowles ahead of the 2026 F1 season
Photo Credit: Williams F1 Team

Williams F1’s Vowles on 2026 compression ratio debate involving Mercedes

Williams F1 Team Principal James Vowles was not afraid to speak up on one of the most clamoured topics of the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season: the compression ratio and the Mercedes power unit. An intriguing rumour about the former championship winning team Rumours about the German manufacturer toying with the grey areas of the…

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Toto Wolff outlines the impact of the FIA potentially implementing changes to compression ratio tests ahead of the 2026 F1 season.
Photo credit: Mercedes F1 Team

Wolff on potential changes to FIA compression ratio tests ahead of 2026 F1 season

During F1 Testing in Bahrain, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff commented on the FIA potentially implementing changes to the compression ratio tests ahead of the start of the 2026 F1 season, following competitors’ complaints. Recently, the Mercedes engine’s compression ratio has been a hot topic in pre-season discussions. The new 2026 F1 Regulations reduced the…

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George Russell at the Formula 1 2026 Shakedown in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo Credit: Mercedes F1 Team

Russell expects Verstappen to be in 2026 F1 title fight

Having finished the 2025 F1 championship in fourth place, George Russell expressed his optimism and excitement for the upcoming season after wrapping up the 2026 shakedown at Barcelona, Spain. Russell on challenging the main protagonists of recent F1 seasons During the 2025 season, many teams’ focus had already shifted to the new regulations coming. Rumours…

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