Mercedes Leads Reliability as Barcelona F1 Test 2026 Continues

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team continued to underline its strong early reliability during the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season test in Barcelona on Wednesday, as George Russell logged significant mileage on a day that also marked McLaren’s first on-track appearance of the test.

Day three of running proved busier than anticipated after forecast rain failed to materialise, allowing several teams to execute meaningful programmes. However, the session did not unfold smoothly for all, with both the Audi F1 Team and the Haas F1 Team encountering issues that disrupted their planned running.

Audi completed just four laps with Nico Hülkenberg before an apparent technical problem forced the car back into the garage. Haas also briefly interrupted the session when Oliver Bearman stopped on track, although the Briton was able to resume running shortly before the lunch break.

Attention was inevitably focused on McLaren, which had sat out the first two days of the five-day private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Running with the number one on his car, reigning world champion Lando Norris finally took the MCL40 onto the circuit to conduct systems checks, completing 34 laps without any reported issues. McLaren is expected to expand its programme significantly over the remaining two days.

From a reliability perspective, Mercedes once again stood out. Russell had completed 92 laps by 1pm local time, building on a highly productive opening day in which the W17 accumulated 154 laps split between Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli. The focus for the Silver Arrows remains on data accumulation and correlation under the new technical regulations.

Russell also topped the morning timesheets, setting a best lap of 1:17.580 late in the session. Earlier, Franco Colapinto had led the classification for BWT Alpine F1 Team with a 1:19.150, before Mercedes asserted its pace advantage.

Elsewhere, the Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team was also active, with Arvid Lindblad at the wheel. In contrast, Oracle Red Bull Racing opted to skip the day following Isack Hadjar’s crash on Tuesday, while Scuderia Ferrari and the Cadillac F1 Team have yet to appear. Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team and Williams Racing were already known to be absent on Wednesday.

With most teams now beginning to reveal their initial form, the Barcelona test is increasingly highlighting contrasts in readiness and reliability ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The remaining two days will be critical, particularly for teams still chasing mileage before attention turns to the next phase of pre-season preparation.