Russell showcased the promise of Mercedes’ new W15 by securing third place in qualifying for the Bahrain season-opener, while Hamilton faced frustration in ninth position due to unfavorable set-up changes.
Despite the setback, the seven-time world champion maintains optimism regarding the car’s capabilities for the race.
Hamilton expressed, “It’s amazing to see how close everyone is. George’s position is a real testament to the amazing job everyone’s done at the factory, finally giving us a car that we can fight with.”
He acknowledged the challenges faced during qualifying, attributing them to a set-up change unfamiliar to him over the past two years.
Reflecting on the difference compared to the previous season, Hamilton admitted to feeling frustrated by the disappointing qualifying session despite recognizing the car’s potential.
Regarding the W15’s performance, Hamilton emphasized, “The car is really fantastic, a big improvement from previous years. More stable, more fun to drive. But we still have work to do.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the team’s shift in mindset, emphasizing their status as underdogs and their determination to build on the W15’s strengths for the rest of the season.
Wolff stated, “We have a car that is more to our liking. Let’s build it up from here. And I’m sure that’s going to happen.”
Overall, Hamilton remains positive about the competitive prospects of the Mercedes W15 and is confident in the team’s ability to continue improving throughout the season.
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