Lewis Hamilton and George Russell expressed positive opinions about W15 after the Beharin tests.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO).
The pre-season testing for Formula 1 concluded with a three-day event at the Bahrain International Circuit. While it is still too early to make any predictions about the championship this season, an advisor from Red Bull believes that Mercedes may have downplayed their performance during the testing period.
During the media interactions before the season, both drivers from Mercedes provided positive feedback about their W-15 car. Mercedes completed a total of 361 laps during the testing. Hamilton even mentioned that the new car is an improvement over its predecessors and that they have gained valuable knowledge during the pre-season testing, which will contribute to a strong foundation for the upcoming season. The advisor from Red Bull suggested that Mercedes might be hiding their true performance when discussing the standings after the pre-season testing in 2024.
According to Marko Helmut’s analysis, Ferrari appears to be facing more issues with tire performance compared to Red Bull once again. McLaren also seems to be a bit uncertain. Despite Mercedes’ performance in the pre-season testing, Marko believes that they can still have confidence in their abilities.
Lewis Hamilton praised the efforts of Mercedes’ employees during the winter and pre-season testing in Bahrain, describing them as highly encouraging. Mercedes is currently trailing behind Red Bull by a significant margin after two challenging campaigns. Both Mercedes drivers conveyed their satisfaction with this year’s W-15 during media interviews at the pre-season testing. Hamilton stated that the car felt even better than before. While acknowledging that they have not yet achieved their desired goal, Hamilton mentioned that they were aware of this during the test and have established a strong foundation for growth. He expressed their eagerness for the upcoming season and their determination to review all the test data to ensure they are well-prepared.