George Russell has provided a positive debut assessment of Mercedes’ 2024 Formula 1 car, citing how it already “feels nicer to drive” than its troubled predecessor.
Having endured a first winless F1 season since 2011 last term, Mercedes has committed to a revamped concept on the W15 as it bids to bridge the gap to Red Bull.
Mercedes Technical Director James Allison outlined that its main ambition was to dial out the “spiteful” rear-end characteristics and create a more compliant car for the drivers.
Although he languished in 12th at the end of the opening day of pre-season running in Bahrain, Russell amassed a total of 121 laps and he was pleased with his run programme.
“It was great to drive the W15 for the first time in anger today. From hitting the ground, it felt like we had a good foundation to start from,” Russell commented.
“We completed lots of laps and have plenty of data to go through tonight. We ended the day in a reasonably good spot, and we can build from here over the next two days.
“We will be focused on maximising mileage for learning rather than chasing an optimum sweet spot with the car.”
Mercedes opted to retain the ‘zeropod’ solution it had conceived at the start of the latest ground effect rules last season but understood it had problems during testing and elected to abandon that innovation.
Russell admits he has more comfort in this season’s package compared to the car Mercedes ended the previous year with and insists the team is fixated on its own plan.
“Overall, the W15 does feel nicer to drive than last year’s car,” Russell continued.
“We know that it’s not about the feeling, but the speed. Nevertheless, today was about learning and not about chasing performance.
“We’re focused on ourselves at this test, and it will only be next week where we see where we stack up against the others.
“It was a positive first day and I’m looking forward to being back in the car on Friday.”
Russell will hand over the reins to team-mate Lewis Hamilton tomorrow before returning to the cockpit of the W15 on Friday afternoon ahead of the first race at the same venue.
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