George Russell comments on new F1 vehicles during Barcelona test: The performance is ‘noteworthy’
Mercedes driver George Russell is optimistic that the 2026 regulations in Formula 1 will lead to more thrilling races this season, noting that the intricate new cars are more intuitive to operate than he had anticipated.
On the first day of this week’s initial preseason test at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, Russell achieved the second fastest time and completed 95 laps during the afternoon session.
The new regulations regarding power units and chassis for 2026 signify a significant overhaul in the sport’s history, with power units now capable of utilizing nearly three times the electrical power compared to last year, and cars that are lighter, shorter, and narrower.
Seven teams participated on Monday in Barcelona, including Mercedes, and Russell remarked that the initial experience with the new cars was enlightening.
“Overall, the amount of power they deliver is quite impressive,” he stated. “Watching all the cars today with their various power units, it’s probably the fastest I’ve ever seen an F1 car go here in Barcelona, which was exciting to witness.
“The cars do feel smaller overall; you can sense the weight reduction compared to previous years, so I believe that aspect has improved.”
The heightened electrification of the new power units is anticipated to present challenges for teams and drivers, particularly as they discover the optimal methods for recovering energy during braking and cornering.
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Some drivers expressed concerns about the regulations when they first experienced the new cars in a virtual setting last year, but Russell indicated that they felt better in reality and is confident they will deliver a more engaging spectacle for fans.
“It is quite different, to be honest, but once you understand it, it feels fairly intuitive,” he explained. “From the fans’ viewpoint, there’s definitely a chance to witness more exciting racing, and I don’t think we will encounter some of the drawbacks we might feel from the car regarding the recharge.
“However, that will evolve significantly over time, so overall, it’s been an exhilarating day. I’m really pleased that the cars are smaller now, because while I was a fan of the larger cars introduced in 2017 visually, having driven them for a few years, I believe they were too big, and now they just look appealing.”
The timing and location where drivers utilize the power unit’s additional electrical power will be crucial for wheel-to-wheel racing this year, with an electrical ‘boost’ accessible to drivers throughout the lap and an ‘overtake’ mode replacing the DRS overtaking aid that has been in use since 2011.
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson stated that preseason testing, which continues beyond this week in Barcelona with two additional tests in Bahrain, will be vital for understanding the power units and believes the options available to drivers will enhance their ability to make a difference in close racing.
“[The new cars are] very, very different,” Lawson remarked. “I haven’t fully grasped it yet. It’s something we will continue to learn over the next few days and weeks in Bahrain as well.
“It’s quite different. It seems like there is much more we can do as drivers to potentially make an impact, which is positive. At this stage, it’s very early, so it’s challenging to determine our position, but for now, we are just aiming to optimize the car.”
Mercedes trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, noted that his drivers had given favorable feedback after their first real-world experience with the car.
“Before Silverstone [Mercedes’ shakedown], their experience was limited to the virtual world in simulators, and in several areas, it actually feels better to them on track than it did in the simulator, which is certainly encouraging,” Shovlin stated. “Regarding top speed, if you deploy fully down the straight, there is a substantial amount of power available from the electrical side, which is nice for them to experience since they always enjoy going fast, and in terms of drivability, we are in a fairly good position.
“There is a lot of work ahead, and we are just at the very early stages of the test program here, but I am confident we will make progress in the coming days, and it appears we can achieve a sensible setup for the first race.”
Source: espn.com
