Mercedes has made notable improvements in its race starts during the final pre-season test in Bahrain, although Ferrari continues to set the standard with its impressive launches. According to Kimi Antonelli, the enhancements in Mercedes’ performance are encouraging, yet the Italian team remains the benchmark as the Formula 1 season approaches.
Throughout this pre-season, discussions around the new power units have dominated the headlines. The introduction of new compression ratios and modifications to the power units have been contentious topics, with decisions expected to be finalized through an e-vote by August 1, 2024. In response to concerns about race starts, the FIA has instituted a pre-warning system for the start process, implemented during the last two days of testing. This initiative aims to reduce the likelihood of chaos at the start of races.
Ferrari’s SF-26 has shown remarkable speed off the line, potentially due to running a smaller turbo than its competitors. During practice starts, both Ferrari drivers managed to overtake George Russell before he reached Turn 1, even when he was starting from pole position, with Lewis Hamilton positioned in P11. Although Russell managed to secure a lead by the end of the session on Friday, the competition remains fierce as Charles Leclerc qualified in P5.
Antonelli remarked on the progress made by Mercedes, stating, “The Ferrari looked very strong, the power unit very strong on starts. But we made a lot of changes, and at the end, the start felt a lot stronger.” He acknowledged that mastering the start procedure has been challenging for the team, indicating that while improvements have been made, there is still work ahead before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
The Ferrari-powered Haas team also demonstrated promising launch capabilities in Bahrain. Both Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman executed successful starts, although they did not match the pace of Ferrari. Ocon noted that the Haas team had previously struggled with their starts, stating, “It took us time to establish the right revs. Now I think we are in a much better place…We need to see how this develops in Melbourne.”
The issue of race launches has emerged as a significant concern this pre-season, as drivers adjust to the new F1 2026 power units. The removal of the MGU-H component, which previously mitigated turbo lag during lower revs, has complicated the launch process. Consequently, drivers are finding it takes longer to prepare their cars for the start.
As teams continue to refine their strategies and resolve issues, the performance of Mercedes and Ferrari will remain closely watched as the season unfolds. With the Australian Grand Prix just around the corner, the competition is set to intensify, and fans eagerly anticipate how these developments will impact the race.
