Antonelli tops final day of Barcelona test as Mercedes continues to lead
Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time on the third day of F1's private Barcelona test, leading a Mercedes 1-2 ahead of George Russell. McLaren's Lando Norris was third in the team's first run with its updated car, as the test focused on mileage and system checks ahead of the new season.
Mercedes concluded the third day of Formula 1's private Barcelona test with Andrea Kimi Antonelli setting the fastest time, narrowly beating teammate George Russell. The team has now completed over 300 laps in its W17 shakedown, with customer McLaren also showing promising pace in its first run with the updated MCL40.
Why it matters:
Private testing data is a closely guarded secret, but topping the timesheets consistently provides a significant morale boost and suggests a productive start to understanding the new car. For Mercedes, gathering extensive mileage with both its race driver and its highly-touted junior is crucial for development ahead of the season. McLaren's solid debut with its test-spec car also indicates a smooth transition into its 2025 development program.
The details:
- Mercedes Dominance: Antonelli's best lap of 1m17.362s was just 0.218s quicker than Russell's morning time, securing a Mercedes 1-2 for the day. Both drivers completed over 90 laps each, indicating strong reliability.
- McLaren's First Run: Lando Norris took the newly liveried MCL38 to third on the timesheets, within a second of the leading Mercedes, while logging 76 laps.
- Alpine's Productive Day: The Alpine team, also using Mercedes power units, saw Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly round out the top five. The pair combined for over 125 laps, suggesting a focus on data collection and system checks.
- Mixed Fortunes for Others: Haas, powered by Ferrari, was the fastest non-Mercedes unit but had its running limited to just over 40 laps after an early stoppage. Audi managed around 70 laps with Nico Hülkenberg after a troubled first day, while Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad completed the most laps of anyone with 120.
- Absentees: Ferrari and Red Bull did not run, having completed their scheduled track time on Tuesday. Aston Martin is set to run on Thursday, while Williams is absent from the test entirely.
What's next:
Testing continues in Barcelona for two more days, with Mercedes scheduled for another session. The focus for all teams will shift from initial shakedowns to longer runs and more specific performance tests. The real-world data gathered here will be instrumental in guiding development paths before the first race, making every lap critical for understanding the car's baseline performance and reliability.