Mercedes admits it still has work to do to wring single-lap pace from its new car after addressing the shortcomings of its predecessors.
The German team focused on long stints rather than fast laps during the three-day test in Bahrain, with George Russell recording third place on the final day using C4 tires after he and team-mate Lewis Hamilton were well ahead in the timed sessions.
Silver Arrows race director Andrew Shovlin explained that his team still has one lap of work to do when they return to Sakhir on Thursday for free practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
“We are still trying to fine-tune the settings, there will definitely be more,” Shovlin said in a Mercedes social media report.
“In general, we are satisfied, we have definitely made progress. In terms of pace, long-term it looks like our strength at the moment.”
“There is still work to do in one lap, but we should be in a position to hopefully show good results when we get back on track.”
Since Formula 1 switched to brand new regulations in 2022, Hamilton and Russell have been struggling with the unpredictable and vicious behavior of the Mercedes cars.
Consistent and consistent car handling has become a key priority for the W15 project, and Mercedes’ enduring power seems to back up Russell’s comments that their car is “no longer a giant”.
“It’s really encouraging that we seem to have tackled a lot of the issues that drivers have been talking about for the last 12 and even 24 months through W13 and W14,” Shovlin added.
