Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell commended Red Bull's debut power unit following a successful first day of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. He noted the high level of competition across teams amid new 2026 regulations. Only seven teams participated in the behind-closed-doors session.
The 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing began on Monday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, marking the first of five days designed to help teams adapt to major regulatory changes. These include narrower and shorter chassis to improve agility and reduce weight, a shift in aerodynamics away from ground-effect principles toward greater emphasis on upper surfaces, removal of the MGU-H component, increased electrical output, and the introduction of sustainable fuels.
Russell, speaking after the session, described the experience positively. "It's great to be back out on track driving an F1 car once again," he said. "The cars looked really cool out on the circuit and that's positive for our sport. They are quite different for us as drivers but, once you get your head around it, driving them is quite intuitive. It's enjoyable being behind the wheel, and I think there's a lot for fans to look forward to with these new regulations."
Mercedes enters the new era as title favorites, drawing on its dominance during the 2014 power unit overhaul, while Ferrari brings recent relevant experience. Red Bull, partnering with Ford for its first in-house powertrain, impressed with extensive running. Isack Hadjar, stepping up as Max Verstappen's teammate in his second F1 season, completed over 100 laps in the RB22 and reportedly set the fastest time.
Only Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari-powered Haas exceeded 100 laps among the seven teams that ran. Russell praised the rivals: "We are pleased with our day, but I've also been impressed by several other teams, too. The Red Bull power unit has completed a lot of laps which, given that it's their first engine they've built, means they've clearly done a good job. Haas also managed a similar amount of running to ourselves, so the Ferrari power unit has also put together plenty of mileage. It's not quite how it was in 2014. The sport has evolved so much since then and the level, in every single aspect, is so high now."
This testing underscores the intensified competition in Formula 1, where Mercedes' historical edge may face stiffer challenges.
