Mercedes’ analysis: « we are slower than Red Bull »

Mercedes slower and less reliable than the competition! This is the standout story from the winter tests held in Bahrain.

The defending world champion team struggled on the Sakhir track. Hamilton was beaten by Verstappen on the last run of Sunday (the summary of the day here), dedicated to qualifying simulation. The assessment is clear, the W12 is temperamental coming out of corners, with oversteer issues.

« Confusion » on relays with low fuel

Yes, the reliability issues have been resolved for the last day of winter testing. However, there are still problems highlighted by Andrew Showlin. The performance director at Mercedes reacted in a statement on the team’s website. And the assessment is unequivocal:

« We have made quite a bit of progress on the balance of the car with a full tank of gas. But the race pace data show us that we are not as fast as Red Bull! »

« Race pace data shows that we are not as fast as Red Bull »

Andrew Showlin, Director of Performance at Mercedes

It’s said! Mercedes feels inferior to their Austrian adversary, confirmed by the various rankings. Is it true or false? Andrew Shovlin details his analysis:

There is more confusion on our relays with less fuel. We have not made enough progress and we need to rethink our approach because many cars had a better pace than us.

No bluff apparently on the side of the title holders. Andrew Shovlin says, “We have our work cut out for us.” But he certainly remains hopeful: “We have had problems in recent years with our pace during winter testing. Every time, we have made progress before the first race.”

Translate: « We don’t have much time left before returning for the race. So we planned a program to work and understand our issues. Our effort over the next nine to ten days will be to find more speed. »

The performance director’s reaction aligns with that of Lewis Hamilton, who also noted a lack of grip in his new car. For his last day of winter testing, Mercedes mixed up its program. Long runs for Valtteri Bottas on Sunday morning, and a double long relay simulation + qualifying on Sunday afternoon for Hamilton, who was only 4th in the final standings, behind Verstappen… Yuki Tsunoda and Charles Leclerc. The British driver, however, had soft tires just like everyone else!

Find in this article the complete summary of the winter tests.