Fresh off of a podium finish in Montreal, Canada, George Russell has admitted that the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix is “a real test” for the improved Mercedes team.
Having secured pole position, Russell clinched third at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to claim his and Mercedes’ first podium result of 2024.
Had it not been for a couple of off-track excursions, Russell may well have converted pole into the win in Canada with the upgraded W15 showing better than it had done all season.
Still, Barcelona is seen as a typical benchmark setter for F1 and Russell admits that if Mercedes can do well in Spain, there’s reason to be positive moving forward.
“I think this is going to be a real test that if we can be fast this weekend, that bodes really well for the season,” he said.
“After a number of difficult tracks, which are always really fun to drive, Monaco, Montreal, some of the best tracks, Imola – It’s going to be good coming back to Barcelona, Austria, Silverstone, more conventional circuits.
“Seeing where the pace of this car really works out, I think ourselves, McLaren and Ferrari have made some big strides towards Red Bull this season, but we also know that they had challenging races in the bumpy tracks, so I think we’re all sat here with anticipation of what if.
“Are we making the gains that we expected and hoped for? I think come next week, we’ll all have a better indication of how the rest of the season’s going to pan out.”
After his best weekend of the year in Canada, Russell said “I’m feeling really good, to be honest. In a good place with myself, the car.”
The Briton added “I think there’s no reason why we can’t be competitive again.”
However, the question of Red Bull’s pace is one that all its rivals need answered, including Mercedes.
Red Bull has openly admitted it has faltered over the last few rounds but Verstappen has still won two of the last three races, a fact that Russell relayed.
However, all-comers expect Red Bull to be resurgent this weekend, but how far ahead will they be?
“Of course, if a team says this was a very difficult race and they still win, they’ve got more in their pockets,” Russell said.
“We’re making really good steps forward at the moment. We think we have more things to come in the future races. But for this weekend, we have to wait and see.”
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