The Mercedes Formula 1 squad has run into yet another complication during the Bahrain test, as Andrea Kimi Antonelli‘s W17 encountered a power unit failure just three laps into its run.
Previously, Mercedes had been accumulating mileage consistently during the shakedown in Barcelona; however, their testing in Bahrain has now been disrupted for two consecutive days. On Wednesday afternoon, Antonelli managed only 30 laps due to suspension issues, following George Russell’s 56 laps in the morning session.
Now, Antonelli faces another hurdle, with the new power unit in his Mercedes failing after only three laps. This necessitated a complete replacement of the power unit as the team strives to get back on track for the afternoon session.
Russell is slated to resume driving after the lunch break, but with the mileage increasingly skewed in his favor, Mercedes may contemplate modifying its running schedule on Thursday or Friday to ensure Antonelli gets more seat time in the W17.
Red Bull’s Setback
Simultaneously, Red Bull has also found itself confined to the garage due to what the team described as a “routine issue during the car assembly,” resulting in a two-hour delay.
This setback is impacting Isack Hadjar’s time on the track, as he was expected to pilot the RB22 throughout the day.
Teams powered by Mercedes have been discussing Red Bull-Ford’s supposed edge with its new hybrid power units, amid ongoing attempts by rival manufacturers to challenge Mercedes’ interpretation of engine compression ratio regulations.
Incidents During Testing
As Thursday’s testing commenced, Sergio Perez triggered the first red flag of the day when his Cadillac came to a standstill during his outlap. After the car was retrieved, Perez managed to return to the circuit approximately an hour later.
Photographs from the second day of Bahrain pre-season testing showcase various moments from the event, highlighting the teams’ struggles and efforts to adapt as the season approaches.
Overall, both Mercedes and Red Bull are navigating significant challenges as they prepare for the upcoming Formula 1 season, with reliability and performance under scrutiny during these crucial testing days.
