The first day of the Barcelona Shakedown carried the unmistakable buzz of a new Formula 1 season. Seven teams chose to run, and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team wasted no time in showing intent with the brand-new W17 E PERFORMANCE, completing 151 laps—over 700 kilometers—on its debut outing.
Morning – Antonelli Breaks the Silence
As the pitlane light flicked green, it was Kimi Antonelli who led the way, the first car to cut through the damp Catalan air. He began cautiously on Intermediates before switching to C3 Softs and C1 Hards, steadily building rhythm. By lunch, Antonelli had logged 56 laps, a solid start that gave the team valuable early data.
“It was nice to be back in the car this morning,” Antonelli reflected. “More importantly, we had a productive first day. There’s so much to learn with these new machines, so mileage is everything. The fact we managed over 150 laps on day one shows the incredible work from Brackley and Brixworth.”
Afternoon – Russell Adds the Miles
After lunch, George Russell took over, pushing the tally even further. He began on Full Wets before moving to Intermediates, adapting to the changing track conditions. By the flag, Russell had added 95 laps, bringing Mercedes’ total to 151 laps.
“It’s great to be back out on track driving an F1 car again,” Russell said with a grin. “The cars look fantastic, and while they feel different, once you settle on their intuitive and enjoyable. Fans have a lot to look forward to with these new regulations.”
Russell also noted the competitiveness across the grid: “Red Bull’s new power unit ran plenty of laps, which is impressive for their first engine. Haas matched our mileage too, showing Ferrari’s strength. The sport has evolved so much—the level everywhere is incredibly high now.”
Team View – Reliability First
For Mercedes, day one wasn’t about lap times—it was about reliability. Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director, summed it up: “The priority in early running is simple: get laps in. That allows us to start learning properly in the days ahead. Today was about understanding the car, stabilizing temperatures, and ensuring we could do long runs. We achieved that, and it’s a positive start.”
He added: “This car is the result of a monumental project, both on the chassis and power unit side. At Brixworth, they’ve been working on this for years. We don’t yet know where we stand on performance, but the fact we kept the car running all day is testament to the hard work of everyone at both factories.”
Mercedes’ 151 laps on day one wasn’t just numbers—they were reassurance. In a sport where reliability is the foundation of success, the W17 E PERFORMANCE showed it could handle the grind. With Antonelli and Russell both upbeat about the car’s feel, and Shovlin confident in the groundwork laid, Mercedes leaves Barcelona’s opening session with momentum, belief, and a clear sense of purpose.