P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell and Mercedes blew away their F1 rivals on day four (Thursday, January 29) of the Barcelona shakedown.
George Russell and Mercedes dominated the F1 Barcelona shakedown on day four, setting impressive lap times and showcasing strong reliability throughout their testing days.
Russell’s performance in the W17 on Thursday afternoon, clocking the fastest time of the week in the 1:16s, highlighted Mercedes’ potential for the upcoming season.
Mercedes completed a total of 388 laps by Thursday lunchtime, with a focus on long runs and understanding the car’s behavior, particularly with regards to the power unit and tire performance.
Other teams like Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton also put in substantial mileage on the final day of testing, with Hamilton praising the team’s reliability and progress despite a minor incident on the track.
Red Bull and Max Verstappen faced setbacks due to damage from a crash earlier in the week, but are working to get back on track with parts arriving from Milton Keynes for Friday testing.
Overall, Mercedes and Russell’s performance stood out during the Barcelona shakedown, setting a strong benchmark for the upcoming F1 season.
