Mercedes showing their strength as pace impresses during second Bahrain test

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George Russell posted the fastest time as Mercedes opened the second week of pre-season testing on top of the timesheets in Bahrain.

After finishing the first week on a strong note, Mercedes carried that form into Wednesday. Russell, driving in the afternoon session, led a day that also saw Kimi Antonelli put in significant mileage during the morning.

Russell completed 76 laps in total, while Antonelli got through 69 laps earlier in the day, giving Mercedes plenty of data to work with as they continued preparations for the new season.

Even though Antonelli finished last week’s session on top of the timing charts, he ended up fifth on Wednesday as teams started showing more of their pace ahead of next weekend’s season opener.

Mercedes make quiet statement on Day Four of Bahrain testing

There’s a growing sense within the Formula 1 paddock that Mercedes are beginning to show what they’re really capable of, following the fourth day of testing in Bahrain.

When the day’s running was over, Albert Fabrega didn’t hold back in his assessment in a video on his YouTube channel. He made it clear that people should pay attention to what Mercedes were doing.

The former F1 mechanic is confident Mercedes will be tough to beat over long runs on the C3 tyre based on what he has seen so far during testing. Speaking after Wednesday’s track action had concluded, 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,” he added. “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.”

Fabrega continued: “We left without the best time from these first three days but there is more from them (Mercedes) and it looks like they are starting to show it.”

Changes planned for F1 engine testing mid-2026 season

Throughout the 2026 pre-season, Mercedes has faced questions from other power unit suppliers, who believe their engine might be exceeding the 16:1 fuel compression ratio limit.

The FIA has inspected the Mercedes engine several times ahead of the 2026 season, and each time it has met the regulations.

Still, during an F1 Commission meeting on February 18th, concerns were raised again. The FIA responded by announcing plans to introduce a new method for testing compression ratios, with changes potentially coming into effect on August 1st.

The proposal has been put forward to a vote among power unit suppliers, with results expected in the next ten days.