Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas says he “learned a few tricks” as the team attempted to get on top of its long-run pace during in-season testing in Bahrain.
Mercedes has topped all three qualifying sessions in 2017, with Bottas claiming his maiden pole at Sakhir last weekend, but has taken only one win, with Sebastian Vettel displaying superior tyre usage in Australia and Bahrain to triumph.
Bottas struggled with rear tyre life during the race, slipping to third, and admitted afterwards that he and Mercedes had to investigate the cause.
Lewis Hamilton expressed confidence that Mercedes had made gains during Tuesday’s running and Bottas echoed his team-mate’s sentiments.
The Finn completed 143 laps in the W08, despite stopping on track due to a mechanical issue with the steering wheel, and finished at the top of the timesheets, posting a lap of 1:31.280
“We got so much running done,” said Bottas.
“We were focusing all day on the long-run pace, which was a bit of a problem for us on Sunday compared to Ferrari.
“We did some interesting tests to try and improve both the tyre life and the race pace.
“We have definitely got plenty to analyse; I think I learned a few tricks today as well.”
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