AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

George Russell raises alarm bells as Mercedes struggles on shocking opening day in Bahrain

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 12, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
George Russell raises alarm bells as Mercedes struggles on shocking opening day in Bahrain

Title: Mercedes in Crisis? George Russell Raises Alarms After Troubling Day in Bahrain

In a shocking turn of events, George Russell has openly expressed his concerns about Mercedes' performance after a dismal opening day at the Formula 1 pre-season test in Bahrain. The British driver, who had been riding a wave of optimism heading into the week, now finds himself wrestling with doubts as the team struggles to replicate their earlier successes from Barcelona.

Just weeks ago, Mercedes appeared poised to reclaim their dominance, showcasing a promising power unit during Shakedown Week. The team was hailed as tentative title favorites, basking in the glow of expectations fueled by impressive performances. However, on the sun-soaked asphalt of the Bahrain International Circuit, the Silver Arrows hit a stark reality check.

Russell's morning session yielded a disappointing best time of 1:36.108, placing him a staggering 1.4 seconds behind the fastest lap of the day, which was astonishingly set by Lando Norris in a Mercedes-powered McLaren. This performance has left the Brackley-based team scratching their heads and questioning their current trajectory.

“It’s been a difficult first day here in Bahrain,” Russell lamented, highlighting the stark contrast between their earlier success in Spain and the struggles faced in the Middle East. “We had a solid three days on track in Barcelona, but we haven’t hit the ground running here. We were experimenting with the overall balance of the car this morning, but it didn’t feel as responsive as it did in Spain.”

The drastic shift in track conditions, especially the soaring temperatures in Bahrain compared to the cooler climate of Barcelona, is contributing to the team’s apparent performance slump. Russell candidly admitted, “That is partly to do with the higher track temperatures, but there’s work for us to do to get the W17 into a happier place.”

In the afternoon session, young talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli took over driving duties, but things didn’t improve much. He ended the day in 11th place, a hefty 1.5 seconds off Russell’s best time, raising further questions about the team’s pace and setup.

With the clock ticking down to the start of the season, Mercedes must act swiftly to address these issues if they hope to silence the growing concerns and reclaim their status as champions. The pressure is mounting, and all eyes will be on the team as they attempt to turn their fortunes around in the coming days. Will the Silver Arrows rise to the occasion, or are we witnessing the beginning of a troubling chapter for Mercedes in F1? The racing world is watching closely.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-seasonandrea-kimi-antonelli-3george-russell-2getspeed-mercedesLando Norris
Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Charles Leclerc dominates F1 Bahrain pre-season testing: shocking results and fierce competition revealed!
Motorsports

Charles Leclerc dominates F1 Bahrain pre-season testing: shocking results and fierce competition revealed!

Title: Charles Leclerc Dominates Day 2 of F1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain as Red Bull and Mercedes Face Setbacks! In...

by Redação
February 12, 2026
Toto Wolff reveals Mercedes-AMG’s bold strategy to boost Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring 24 Hours visibility
Motorsports

Toto Wolff reveals Mercedes-AMG’s bold strategy to boost Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring 24 Hours visibility

Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 29, 2025 Mercedes team principal...

by Harry Stone
February 12, 2026
Charles Leclerc dominates Bahrain test day 2 as Red Bull and Mercedes stumble in chaos
Motorsports

Charles Leclerc dominates Bahrain test day 2 as Red Bull and Mercedes stumble in chaos

Bahrain Test Day 2: Leclerc Dominates While Red Bull and Mercedes Stumble in Shocking Turn of Events In an electrifying...

by James Taylor
February 12, 2026
Charles Leclerc steals the spotlight at F1 2026 Bahrain test as Mercedes and Red Bull falter
Motorsports

Charles Leclerc steals the spotlight at F1 2026 Bahrain test as Mercedes and Red Bull falter

Chaos Unleashed at Bahrain F1 Pre-Season Test: Leclerc Dominates as Giants Stumble In a stunning display of speed and resilience,...

by Carl Harrison
February 12, 2026

Recent News

Charles Leclerc dominates F1 Bahrain pre-season testing: shocking results and fierce competition revealed!

Charles Leclerc dominates F1 Bahrain pre-season testing: shocking results and fierce competition revealed!

February 12, 2026
Toto Wolff reveals Mercedes-AMG’s bold strategy to boost Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring 24 Hours visibility

Toto Wolff reveals Mercedes-AMG’s bold strategy to boost Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring 24 Hours visibility

February 12, 2026
Charles Leclerc dominates Bahrain test day 2 as Red Bull and Mercedes stumble in chaos

Charles Leclerc dominates Bahrain test day 2 as Red Bull and Mercedes stumble in chaos

February 12, 2026
Charles Leclerc steals the spotlight at F1 2026 Bahrain test as Mercedes and Red Bull falter

Charles Leclerc steals the spotlight at F1 2026 Bahrain test as Mercedes and Red Bull falter

February 12, 2026

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

MSports Play Icon
MSports Play
The New streaming service
Download
×
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.