P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes dialled out qualifying pace to boost Bahrain F1 race chances
The Mercedes team decided to shift focus from their strong single-lap performance and adjust the car set-up for better race performance, leading to George Russell qualifying third and Lewis Hamilton ninth for Sunday’s race. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed that the team chose a less aggressive set-up to preserve tire wear for the race but may have sacrificed some single-lap speed in the process. The decision to lift the car slightly was influenced by past issues, such as the plank disqualification at last year’s United States Grand Prix. Hamilton and Russell diverged in their set-up directions, with Hamilton hoping his changes will improve his race pace on Saturday. Overall, Mercedes is aiming to strike a balance between speed and tire management for a successful performance in the upcoming race.
