F1 News: George Russell Reflects On Pre-Season Testing Results – “Focussed On Ourselves”

George Russell shares his thoughts on the Mercedes W15 after the first day of pre-season testing.

Key Takeaways:

• George Russell praises the Mercedes W15’s improved handling compared to its predecessor.
• Mercedes prioritizes data gathering and car development over outright speed during initial testing.
• Russell remains optimistic about the car’s foundation and looks forward to further testing with Lewis Hamilton taking over.

George Russell, the young British driver for Mercedes, provided an early assessment of the team’s new challenger, the Mercedes W15, following the first day of pre-season testing. While the car demonstrated improved drivability over its predecessor, Russell stressed the team’s focus on data gathering and development rather than immediate performance.

“It was great to drive the W15 for the first time today. From hitting the ground, it felt like we had a good foundation to start from. 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.”

Russell emphasized the importance of maximizing mileage for learning purposes rather than solely concentrating on achieving the optimum performance from the car. Despite acknowledging the significance of speed in Formula 1, Russell highlighted the team’s commitment to self-improvement during the testing phase.

“We will be focused on maximising mileage for learning rather than chasing an optimum sweet spot with the car. Overall, the W15 does feel nicer to drive than last year’s car. We know that it’s not about the feeling, but the speed. Nevertheless, today was about learning and not about chasing performance.”

Mercedes, eager to bounce back from a challenging season, views the pre-season testing period as a crucial opportunity to refine the W15 and address any potential weaknesses. With Lewis Hamilton set to continue testing the car, the team remains optimistic about their prospects heading into the new season.

“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.”

As the pre-season testing progresses, all eyes will be on Mercedes and their quest to reclaim their position at the forefront of Formula 1.