Mercedes delighted with reliability of the W16 after Bahrain testing
Having made a good impression during the three-day pre-season testing in Sakhir, Mercedes' trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin insisted that the initial signs have been very positive with the brand-new W16.
Mercedes completed the three-day pre-season testing which took place in Bahrain. The Brackley-based outfit noted that the winter testing was "a positive three-day programme," in which the team completed more laps that any other team with a total of 458.
And despite delays for a power outage, a shuttle bus on the track and a shattered pane of glass on the start-finish line, the eight-time F1 world champion team will now return the UK with valuable information to debrief.
Russell complete a total of 232 laps over the course of the three days and ended the final day with the quickest time. His new team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli racked up a total of 226 laps ahead of his debut season at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Reflecting on the three-day pre-season testing, Mercedes' trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin insisted that the initial signs have been very positive with the brand-new W16.
“We’ve had a solid three days of pre-season testing here in Bahrain. The team has worked hard over the winter to improve on the weaknesses of the W15 and, from the initial signs, we seem to have made good steps in those areas with our 2025 challenger.
“Despite a few red flag interruptions and some rain, we’ve managed to get through most of the programme. It is a testament to the hard work of everyone at Brackley and Brixworth that we were able to complete the most laps of any team over the course of the test.
“Over the next week, we will pick through that data to assess areas of improvement and to bring the most effective race car we can for the first race in Melbourne in two weeks’ time.
“It is of course far too early to make an accurate prediction of the competitive order. However, we can be pleased with how the test has gone and look forward to heading to Australia to begin the 2025 season," noted Shovlin.
