Title: George Russell Stunned by Red Bull’s Jaw-Dropping Performance in F1 Testing!
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the Formula 1 community, Mercedes star George Russell has voiced his astonishment at the formidable display put forth by rivals Red Bull during the recent testing in Barcelona. Emerging from the shakedown with an impressive 500 laps under their belt, Red Bull has not only set the bar high but has also earned the unofficial title of “team to beat” for the 2026 season.
Russell, who spoke candidly at the launch of Mercedes’ W17 car, acknowledged the sheer dominance exhibited by Red Bull, who clocked an impressive 303 laps over three days of rigorous testing. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as 2026 marks Red Bull’s inaugural year in producing their own power units. Despite being a new venture, Red Bull’s engine project is spearheaded by the highly experienced Ben Hodgkinson, a former key player at Mercedes High Performance Powertrains. With over two decades of expertise under his belt, Hodgkinson’s leadership is proving vital as Red Bull seeks to establish itself in the highly competitive arena of F1.
Former team principal Christian Horner’s bold claims of over 200 personnel transfers from Mercedes to bolster their engine project may raise eyebrows, yet one thing is clear: Red Bull Powertrains is no fledgling operation. The groundwork laid by the team is set to pay dividends, and their rivals are taking notice.
Russell did not hold back in expressing his admiration for Red Bull’s advancements. “We’ve only driven the car for three days and it’s still early days,” he remarked. “But quoting Toto [Wolff], it doesn’t look like it’s a turd, which is a bonus.” The young driver emphasized the importance of initial testing, noting that the early signs could either highlight glaring issues or indicate a potential championship contender. “We don’t believe it is a bad car, but can it produce a world championship? It’s still too early to tell,” he stated.
Russell expressed his surprise at the reliability and performance of Red Bull’s power units, stating, “What we’ve seen from some of our rivals, especially on the Red Bull power unit side, looks very impressive considering they’re a completely new outfit. Kudos to them!”
As the excitement builds for the upcoming season, the competition is heating up. While Mercedes remains confident in their testing reliability, the questions linger: Will they be able to keep pace with a resurgent Red Bull? Can Russell and his team harness the potential of the W17 to reclaim their dominance? The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown as the world of Formula 1 braces itself for what could be one of the most competitive seasons to date!








