Mercedes dominates final day of 2026 Barcelona F1 test
Kimi Antonelli led a Mercedes 1-2 on the final day of F1's Barcelona pre-season test, setting the fastest time ahead of teammate George Russell. Reigning champion Lando Norris was third for McLaren, while Audi's Nico Hulkenberg struggled with technical issues.
Mercedes locked out the top of the timesheets on the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, with rookie Kimi Antonelli setting the fastest time ahead of teammate George Russell. The pair were the only drivers to break into the 1:17s, signaling a strong start for the Silver Arrows ahead of the new season.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing times are always treated with caution, but a 1-2 finish with a significant gap to the nearest competitor provides Mercedes with a crucial confidence boost. For Antonelli, outpacing his experienced teammate on his first official test day with the team is a statement performance that sets the tone for his highly anticipated rookie season.
The details:
- Mercedes' Command: Kimi Antonelli's best lap of 1:17.362 was just over two-tenths quicker than George Russell's, with both drivers completing over 90 laps each, demonstrating both pace and reliability.
- The Best of the Rest: Reigning world champion Lando Norris made his first appearance of the test in the McLaren MCL40, finishing third but nearly a full second off the ultimate pace after 76 laps.
- Mixed Fortunes Elsewhere:
- Alpine's Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly took fourth and fifth, split by just over a tenth of a second.
- Haas's Oliver Bearman and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad, another rookie, rounded out the runners who completed a full program.
- Audi had a difficult day, with Nico Hulkenberg setting the slowest time after encountering early technical issues, though the team recovered to complete 68 laps.
What's next:
The shakedown in Barcelona is complete, leaving teams with a final set of data to analyze before the cars are shipped to Bahrain for the official pre-season test and the opening Grand Prix. While the lap times offer an initial glimpse of the competitive order, fuel loads, engine modes, and test programs mean the true picture will only become clear under the floodlights of Sakhir. The clock is now officially counting down to the 2026 season opener.