George Russell thinks Mercedes` impressive performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished second, demonstrated significant progress for the team, especially in challenging hot conditions.
Russell achieved his best season start with three podiums in the first four races, contributing to Mercedes` second place in the Constructors` Championship, trailing only McLaren.
His recent podium in Bahrain, placing him between McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, has boosted Russell`s confidence that Mercedes might have overcome their 2024 weakness: performance in hot weather.
“The result is honestly very encouraging,” Russell stated.
“Bahrain was a crucial test for us. We knew our car performed well in cooler temperatures, which explained our competitiveness in China and Suzuka. However, Bahrain`s hot conditions were a question mark. We performed strongly throughout the weekend, which is a positive sign for the rest of the season.”
Team principal Toto Wolff hailed Russell`s second-place finish as `unbelievable`.
Russell faced electrical issues and a brake-by-wire failure in his car during the race`s final laps, all while managing fragile soft tires for the last 25 laps, with Norris close behind.
Wolff explained the difficulty: “If you`ve experienced driving a race car with and without BBW or conventional brakes, it`s comparable to losing power steering intermittently in corners. George demonstrated exceptional skill in managing this.”
He added, “We were concerned about losing the entire dashboard, which would mean losing all control buttons, settings adjustments, and shift lights. It was a significant distraction.”
Wolff concluded, “It was an incredible drive. Considering the car`s issues, finishing second ahead of Norris was a fantastic achievement.”
Russell Downplays Title Contention
Heading into the Saudi Arabian GP, Russell is 13 points behind championship leader Norris. Despite his strong start, he is hesitant about their title chances.
“I`d like to be optimistic, but realistically, I don`t believe we are in title contention,” he admitted. “McLaren currently appears too dominant.”
“Bahrain was likely their peak performance. Their results in China and Suzuka probably represent their lower end of performance, and they still secured a win in those races.”
“We must continue to consistently score points and capitalize on opportunities. This weekend, we secured a second place, similar to Melbourne where we finished third.”
“I’m not sure if this level of performance will continue in the upcoming races, but we will see.”
Wolff noted McLaren’s significant improvement from last year, stating, “Looking at McLaren`s progress from last year, it shows how quickly teams can improve.”
“While we were a few tenths behind on Sunday, we need to maximize our performance and see how we fare at different circuits.”
F1 journalist Martin Brundle commented on Russell`s drive: “George Russell, in a compromised Mercedes, expertly managed braking and electrical problems to maintain his position.”
“After a strong start, this was undoubtedly one of his best F1 performances.”
“It`s also timely as he negotiates a new contract with Mercedes for 2026 and beyond, especially amidst rumors of Max Verstappen`s potential availability.”
Marcus Prine