Kimi Antonelli warns Mercedes battery faces 'shock' at Australian GP
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli predicts the team's new battery system will be severely tested at the Australian GP. The Albert Park circuit's long, flowing layout with few heavy braking zones presents a major challenge for energy recovery and deployment under the new 2026 regulations, forcing teams to rely heavily on simulator work to prepare.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has warned that his team's battery system is in for a "quite a bit of a shock" at the upcoming Australian Grand Prix due to the unique energy demands of the Albert Park circuit. The rookie's comments highlight a key technical challenge for the new 2026 power units as teams head to one of the calendar's fastest and most power-sensitive tracks.
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