Mercedes had a poor weekend on the Barcelona Grand Prix general, given their standing because the season’s sturdy favorites.
The Barcelona observe was previously the testing floor for the preseason on account of its having traits of many various sorts of tracks.
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With Barcelona coming an honest chunk into the season, it’s now a observe the place groups deliver massive upgrades and look to totally understand their benchmark.
Regardless of Mercedes taking pole place, they ended up falling properly wanting a victory, shedding to Ferrari by 19.5 seconds, and Kimi Antonelli suffered a reliability concern that price him.
Barcelona – Catalunya Grand Prix, Saturday, Getty Pictures BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 13: Pole place qualifier George Russell of Nice Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Group is interviewed throughout qualifying forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Barcelona-Catalunya at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 13, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Picture by Clive Rose/Getty Pictures)
Barcelona – Catalunya Grand Prix, Saturday, Getty Pictures BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 13: Pole place qualifier George Russell of Nice Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Group is interviewed throughout qualifying forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Barcelona-Catalunya at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 13, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Picture by Clive Rose/Getty Pictures)
The automotive has actually been bolstered by its class-leading energy unit, which has given it a major benefit in pure lap time.
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Nonetheless, Barcelona has uncovered the automotive’s lack of pace in aerodynamic efficiency.
“The W17 is clearly a very good automotive, not only a mediocre one elevated by a mega energy unit. There was already greater than a touch of its spectacular downforce in Monaco, the place Kimi Antonelli blitzed the opposition on a observe that clearly is not energy delicate,” F1 reporter Scott Mitchell-Malm wrote for The Race.
“Placing three-tenths of a second on buyer McLaren at a correct aero observe like Barcelona confirmed the automotive’s one-lap efficiency.
“Mercedes’ bid to win pale when early race chief George Russell began struggling within the second and third stints, although. Its sooner driver Kimi Antonelli was happier with the tempo of the automotive, so this was a silver lining – however he retired late on with yet one more Mercedes technical downside.
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“Russell known as it ‘an enormous concern,’ and the dearth of tempo he had on the exhausting compound provides Mercedes homework to do on the automotive facet, too.”
Might 24, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Mercedes driver George Russell (63) in the course of the Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Obligatory Credit score: David Kirouac-Imagn Pictures
Might 24, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Mercedes driver George Russell (63) in the course of the Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Obligatory Credit score: David Kirouac-Imagn Pictures
With Ferrari making notable positive aspects in automotive improvement, McLaren probably persevering with to push, and Crimson Bull growing their desperation, Mercedes can’t afford to take a seat on their fingers.
This previous weekend’s developments spotlight the necessity for a critical improve package deal.
