P1racenews AI automatic summary:
New Mercedes already ‘feels nicer’ to drive, says Russell
George Russell had a promising start at the pre-season testing in Bahrain, driving the Mercedes W15. Despite ranking 12th on the timesheets, he was pleased with the initial feedback on the car’s performance, especially noting the improvement in rear end stability. Russell emphasized the importance of learning and team focus during testing, rather than chasing performance. Mercedes focused on solid mileage and a race simulation, gathering valuable data for further improvements. Team principal Toto Wolff highlighted the priority of a better-handling car this season and the importance of a stable platform for development. The team is looking forward to comparing their performance with other teams in the upcoming tests.
