Mercedes already at the top
George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli have so far taken home a double in qualifying and racing in Australia and in the sprint qualifying in China. In short, the Mercedes it definitely started with the right foot with this regulatory change decided by Formula 1 for 2026.
Marko recognizes Mercedes’ superiority
To the notebooks of F1-Insider, Helmut Marko he admitted: “It reminds me of 2014, when hybrid engines were introduced. Then Mercedes was on another planet. In Melbourne when Antonelli had to recover positions, he was going 1″ faster than his rivals”.
For the Austrian manager, until last year in Red Bull, it is not just the power unit that makes the difference: “As in 2014 Mercedes did a better job. In every area: not only regarding the engine, but also regarding the chassis they seem to have an advantage. Now the others have to catch up, I’m counting on Ferrari and Red Bull. But Max misses the challenge and the fun.”
