P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell conveyed concern about Mercedes’ performance on the first day of the F1 pre-season test in Bahrain.
George Russell expressed reservations about Mercedes’ performance during the first day of the Formula 1 pre-season test in Bahrain, where the team had been considered one of the favorites following a strong showing in Barcelona earlier. The Mercedes power unit, previously praised for its speculated advantage, seemed to falter as Russell lagged behind with the sixth-fastest time of the day, almost 1.4s off the pace set by Lando Norris in the Mercedes-powered McLaren. The team faced challenges with adjusting to different setups and higher track temperatures than in Barcelona, leading to concerns about their overall performance. Russell highlighted the need to improve the car’s balance and responsiveness in order to regain their competitive edge in the Middle East. Ultimately, Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s 11th place in the afternoon further emphasized the team’s ongoing struggles, signaling a need for improvement as they work towards the upcoming F1 season.
