REPORT: Lewis Hamilton gives verdict on Mercedes car as George Russell makes worrying Red Bull prediction

Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell expressed satisfaction with Mercedes’ advancements on their 2024 car. Nonetheless, Russell remains wary of Red Bull’s perceived superiority as F1 pre-season testing unfolds. Russell had the initial opportunity to test the Mercedes W15 on Wednesday, followed by Hamilton’s turn in Bahrain on Thursday.

Although precise assessments of speed are challenging at this stage, initial signs suggest that Mercedes has improved compared to last year, with Hamilton recording the third fastest time of the day, albeit trailing over 1.1 seconds behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. Hamilton remarked that it was a productive day, gathering valuable insights on the W15 through extensive laps. He acknowledged the evident progress in this year’s car, providing a solid foundation for further enhancements.

Russell echoed Hamilton’s sentiment, emphasizing the significant improvement in the car’s consistency, particularly in high-speed corners, compared to the challenges they faced with the W14 last year. Despite Mercedes’ progress, Red Bull remains the frontrunner, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez showcasing impressive performances during testing. Russell acknowledged Red Bull’s dominance, labeling them as favorites and acknowledging the substantial effort required from Mercedes to bridge the gap.