George Russell thinks Mercedes` impressive performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished second, splitting the McLarens, was a significant `real test` for the team. However, he is still not confident about his chances in the Formula 1 title race.
Russell has had a fantastic start to the season, achieving three podium finishes in the first four races. Mercedes is currently second in the Constructors` Championship, just behind McLaren.
His recent podium in Bahrain, finishing between McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, has boosted Russell`s confidence that Mercedes might have solved their performance issues in hot weather, which was a weakness in 2024.
“The result is honestly very encouraging,” Russell said.
“This race was a true test for us. We knew our car performs well in cold conditions, and our competitiveness in China and Suzuka wasn`t a big surprise.”
“But Bahrain was the question mark. We`ve had another strong weekend here, which is a good sign for the rest of the season.”
Team boss Toto Wolff described Russell`s second-place finish as `unbelievable`.
Russell had to manage electrical problems and a brake-by-wire (BBW) failure in his car during the final part of the race, all while using soft tires for the last 25 laps, with Norris close behind.
Wolff explained the difficulty: “If you`ve ever driven a race car with and without BBW or conventional brakes, it`s similar to losing power steering. Imagine having to switch between having it and not having it in different corners. It was an incredibly skillful drive.”
Wolff added, “We were worried we might lose the entire dashboard, meaning no buttons, no adjustments, no shift lights. It was a significant distraction.”
The Mercedes boss concluded, “It was an unbelievable drive. Considering the car was damaged, finishing P2 ahead of Norris was a fantastic result.”
Russell Doubtful About Title Contention
Heading into the Saudi Arabian GP, the fifth race of the season, Russell is 13 points behind championship leader Norris.
Is he a genuine contender for the world title for the first time in his F1 career?
“I`d like to say yes, but I don’t think we are, to be honest,” he admitted. “McLaren is just too dominant right now.”
“I think their Bahrain performance was likely their peak. Their performance in China and Suzuka was probably their worst-case scenario, and they still won one of those races.”
“So, we need to keep scoring points and taking opportunities. This weekend, we capitalized on an opportunity to finish P2, just like we did in Melbourne for P3.”
“I don`t expect this to continue for many races, but who knows?”
Wolff noted McLaren`s rapid improvement from last year, saying, “If you look at McLaren`s progress from last year… you can see how quickly things can change.”
“On Sunday, we were a few tenths off the pace, but we need to perform at our best and see how we do on different tracks.”
Brundle on Russell’s Drive
Martin Brundle, Sky Sports F1 commentator, praised Russell`s drive in his Bahrain GP column:
“George Russell, in a struggling Mercedes, drove brilliantly, managing serious braking and electrical issues to hold on to his position.”
“After a great start, this was definitely one of his best F1 performances.”
“It`s also very timely as he seeks a new contract with the team for 2026 and beyond, especially with rumors about Max Verstappen potentially entering the driver market.”
