George Russell has countered claims that Mercedes has been sandbagging in Bahrain Formulation 1 testing, stating that “we have taken a step again” because the Barcelona shakedown.
Mercedes entered the 2026 pre-season testing part main the bookmakers’ odds to win the world title, whereas its energy unit has been on the middle of a debate over a laws loophole.
A powerful Barcelona shakedown did nothing to decrease this, whereas Mercedes ended the Bahrain take a look at with the quickest total lap after Andrea Kimi Antonelli led George Russell on the ultimate day.
That got here as plenty of its rivals claimed Mercedes has been sandbagging.
Russell says Mercedes worse on tempo and reliability since Barcelona shakedown
Talking after his stint within the automotive on Friday morning, Russell stated Mercedes has “taken a step again” by way of reliability and efficiency because the Barcelona shakedown.
“I feel this take a look at was wanted for us, as a result of Barcelona was very easy, and possibly smoother than we anticipated by way of reliability, by way of efficiency,” he informed the official F1 web site.
“And we have to Bahrain and, in each regards, we have taken a step again.
“We have had some reliability points. Our rivals have hit the bottom operating, particularly Crimson Bull; they appear very sturdy with the ability unit.
“And it was the identical on day one among Barcelona, so kudos to them and the wonderful job they’ve performed. However we have to deal with ourselves and discover some extra efficiency.”
On the reliability issues that dogged Mercedes on day two, he added: “For certain, that is what testing is all about, and I feel we in all probability all anticipated to see a bit extra of this, particularly in Barcelona.
“Nevertheless it’s nonetheless very early days, we have nonetheless bought one other take a look at, a month till Melbourne.
“We’re clearly very centered on efficiency, however you have to end a race if you would like a consequence.
“So, being a driver, you are at all times centered on efficiency. Quite a lot of crew members are centered on reliability and dealing on that.”
Russell burdened that Mercedes has a “excellent automotive”, however Crimson Bull has “delivered one of the best engine” proper now.
“I do not make an enormous quantity from it, as a result of clearly, that was all due to noise and hypothesis within the media that we will have one of the best energy unit,” he stated of the bookmakers’ putting Mercedes and himself as pre-season favorites.
“The reality is, I feel now we have a robust energy unit, I feel we have delivered an excellent automotive.
“However, proper now, Crimson Bull appears to have delivered one of the best engine in the intervening time.
“We have got work to do and we all know that historical past says they’ve additionally delivered a fairly respectable automotive over the earlier years.
“In fact, we might have wished in any other case, however that is F1 and everyone seems to be pushing the restrict.”
