George Russell Praises Teams After Thrilling Barcelona Shakedown Day 1
George Russell expressed his admiration for several teams following the thrilling opening day of the Barcelona Shakedown. The Mercedes driver described Monday as an exciting moment in the lead-up to the Formula 1 season.
Exciting Start at the Barcelona Shakedown
The five-day event kicked off at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli took turns in the new W17 car. Both drivers accumulated substantial mileage, an essential aspect of pre-season testing.
Power Units Impress
Russell noted the impressive performance of the new power units. “It’s amazing just to be back out driving again,” he shared. He mentioned the anticipation surrounding these units contributed to the excitement of the day.
- Teams exhibited strong performance.
- New power units deliver significantly more power.
- The experience of driving the 2026 car felt markedly different due to new technical regulations.
The Mercedes driver acknowledged that this year’s cars feel smaller and lighter compared to previous models. “It’s gone in a good direction,” he remarked, highlighting the changes in car dynamics.
Impressive Team Performances
As the opening day progressed, Russell was impressed by other teams’ performances. Notably, the Red Bull-powered teams showcased new power units and displayed smooth operation with both cars on the track. “I was pretty impressed with a number of other teams,” he stated.
- Red Bull-powered teams demonstrated a robust showing.
- Audi completed several good laps.
- Haas achieved the highest lap count of the day with their Ferrari engine.
The overall atmosphere at the Shakedown reflected the evolution of Formula 1. Russell noted that the competitive level is significantly higher than in previous years. “From every single aspect, it was impressive to see all teams logging considerable laps on day one,” he concluded.
The week ahead includes three more testing days for participating teams. Russell remains optimistic about what lies ahead, expressing confidence in Mercedes’ acclimatization and competitiveness.
