George Russell Praises Teams After Thrilling Day 1 at Barcelona Shakedown
George Russell has expressed his admiration for various teams during the opening day of the Barcelona Shakedown. The Mercedes driver described the first day as “exciting.” He, along with teammate Kimi Antonelli, took the new W17 for a spin at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, accumulating significant mileage.
Exciting Insights from the Barcelona Shakedown
After exiting the car, Russell shared his feelings about returning to racing. “It’s amazing just to be back out driving again,” he stated. The anticipation surrounding new power units was palpable, and the performance delivered was noteworthy.
“The amount of power they give is pretty impressive,” Russell remarked. He noted, “It’s probably the quickest I’ve ever seen an F1 car pass here in Barcelona.” This enthusiasm was further fueled by the noticeable weight reduction in the cars, enhancing their agility compared to previous years.
Adjusting to New Regulations
Driving the 2026 car comes with its challenges amid new technical regulations. Russell admitted it feels “very different,” but he quickly adjusted, stating it becomes “quite intuitive” once familiarized. Overall, he reflected positively on the day.
Team Performance and Confidence
As the week progresses, teams are allowed to run on three of the five days. Russell acknowledged the confidence boost from Mercedes’ successful start but also praised other teams for their efforts. “I was pretty impressed with a number of other teams,” he noted.
- The Red Bull-powered teams showcased a new power unit with strong performance.
- Audi completed notable laps, indicating their competitive potential.
- Haas achieved the most laps overall with a Ferrari engine.
Russell contrasted this experience with the past, recalling the struggle many teams faced in 2014. “The level’s just so high now,” he said. On day one, he observed that most teams managed to log significant laps, marking a promising start to the Shakedown.
