P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes enjoyed a strong Barcelona shakedown, but it had a much different experience in Bahrain on Wednesday.
George Russell acknowledged that Mercedes faced a challenging start to the Bahrain test on Wednesday. The team had been at the center of attention after a strong performance in Barcelona last month. Questions have arisen regarding Mercedes’ engine capabilities and other teams are seeking resolution before the start of the season. Despite a successful stint in Barcelona, Mercedes struggled in Bahrain, with Russell expressing dissatisfaction with the car’s performance. The team is working on improving the car’s balance and responsiveness in higher temperatures. With rivals like McLaren and Red Bull showing promising form, Mercedes finds itself in a position of needing to catch up and is putting in the effort to do so.
