Mercedes behind Ferrari and McLaren so far in Formula One testing

Russell completed 66 laps in the afternoon session at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Thursday after taking the job Lewis Hamilton At lunch break, the sixth day ended faster.

Charles Leclerc I managed to set the pace for Ferrari previous to Pierre Gasly And the Daniel RicciardoYesterday, it finished second behind McLaren Lando Norris.

Russell said after his Thursday session that he found the test “really interesting” as the teams were able to accelerate with their new 2022 cars, offering “a different dynamic”.

“We’re seeing some interesting things there, and that’s the purpose of the test,” Russell said.

“Some of the teams are looking very fast. The red team and the orange team in particular look very competitive. So let’s see what tomorrow brings and what we can do between this test and Bahrain.”

He was asked where he thinks mercedes ‘Certainly not ahead,’ replied Russell sat. [I’m] Are you sure.

“Things seem to be well under control and seem to be very solid, low fuel and high fuel, and with tire management.

“Who knows? We all know we’re in different programs, but we definitely know from the average of all the different courses, that we’re behind them at the moment.

“Let’s wait and see. The championship was not won in Barcelona in the winter tests. But it has certainly been an interesting two days so far.”

Russell’s best time of 1m 20.537sec was more than eight-tenths of Ferrari’s Leclerc scale, but the teams are still dealing with their new cars and not chasing full performance.

Ferrari has completed more laps than any team so far in testing, recording 303 laps between Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz over the two days so far. By comparison, Mercedes managed 233 cars, more than four McLaren.

Russell is set to complete a final half-day in Barcelona on Friday with the testing over, sharing tasks behind the wheel of a Mercedes W13 with Hamilton once again.

The next opportunity to drive will then come in the second pre-season test from March 10-12 in Bahrain, which will also host this year’s opening race on March 20.