The W16 has been well-born, and the three days of testing in Bahrain confirmed this, with satisfaction in the words of Russell and Antonelli.
Mercedes leaves the Bahrain tests with good feedback and few questions. The W16 seems to have been well-developed, and what was seen over these three days confirms this. The drivers of the German team completed 458 laps, with rookie Antonelli completing 226 laps, six fewer than those of George Russell.
Antonelli, who also had the satisfaction of finishing the morning of the first day in first place, shared his first impressions at the wheel of the W16 with the press. These are his statements: “Overall, it was a positive three days on track here in Bahrain. The test went well, and we expanded our knowledge of the W16 through numerous tests. There were some interruptions and red flags that slowed down our schedule, but we still managed to complete everything we had planned. The weather conditions were also variable, with cold and wind during the first two days, which made it even harder than usual to get a clear idea of the competitive order.”
The Italian then added: “Apart from all that, we focused on our work and are satisfied with the progress we’ve made. Now we can analyze the data collected and continue working to bring the best car possible to the first race in Melbourne in two weeks. From my perspective, it was exciting to go out on track for the first time as an official Mercedes driver. It was useful to continue building my experience with the team and refine my preparation for my rookie season. I can’t wait to get to Melbourne and officially kick off the 2025 season.”
Satisfaction was also evident in the words of George Russell, who is expected to further mature this year after a strong second half of the 2024 season. These are his statements: “We had three productive days at the pre-season tests in Bahrain. The team in Brackley, Brixworth, and on track did a great job preparing for the test and accumulating a significant number of kilometers.
The sessions went smoothly, and the car performed well. It’s no surprise to see some of our competitors, especially McLaren, in great shape. We’ve gathered valuable data and information that will give us the opportunity to make further improvements before Melbourne. Next week, Kimi and I will be at the factory to work on the simulator, while the whole team will give their best to ensure we bring the best possible package to Australia. I can’t wait to get started!”
Photo: X Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
