Questions proceed to linger round Mercedes forward of the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix, the primary race of the 2023 Formulation 1 season. After an up-and-down three days at pre-season testing per week in the past, the primary two follow classes failed to offer the group with the solutions they have been in search of forward of the season’s begin.
“We’ve received rather a lot to work on,” stated Lewis Hamilton after the follow in an announcement offered to the media, together with SB Nation. “We knew we have been behind a few of our opponents at testing and at the moment, we discovered that we’re a good distance off. We’ll hold our heads down tonight, undergo the info, and proceed to work to search out some progress for tomorrow. We’ve received to search out out if we are able to add efficiency in a single day.”
For Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, the W14 may be higher over the lengthy runs, however qualifying might be one other massive query. “It seems to be like our race tempo is barely stronger than our one-lap tempo proper now,” Mentioned Russell after the 2 follow classes. “We are going to proceed to have a look at this as we have to discover extra lap time. It’s tough to say precisely the place we’re within the order, however we wish to be larger up the timing sheets than we have been at the moment. It’s solely our fourth day with the W14, although, so we’d like to ensure we now have it in the precise window and are reaching its full potential.”
Why it could be the case that the W14 is healthier over the lengthy runs, it nonetheless isn’t the place it must be for Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin. “We made some adjustments going into the afternoon and the cooler situations appeared to assist when it comes to the texture and stability, however the tempo remains to be missing,” stated Shovlin after the follow classes. “Single lap appears extra of a difficulty than the long term however neither are ok, so we’ve clearly received some work to do.”
Nonetheless, there’s time for Mercedes to show this round, and the season is simply getting underway. “We’ve received some concepts to judge in a single day so hopefully we are able to put collectively a package deal of adjustments that may assist,” stated Shovlin on Friday evening.
Hamilton shared an identical sentiment, whereas praising the work of everybody at Mercedes. “Everybody continues to work so laborious and is so brave and considerate within the course of. We have to proceed to graft away and get ourselves again heading in the right direction.”
