Red Bull 'Are No Doubt Favourites' Asserts Russell As He Describes 'Huge Test'
F1
George Russell discussed the difference between Mercedes and Red Bull after the final day of pre-season testing.
Red Bull Racing dominated the most recent season. The team from Milton Keynes won 21 out of 22 races, so going into 2024, it was clear they might have an advantage.
Nevertheless, many fans hoped that some of the four teams in the near chasing pack would be able to close the gap. One of these four teams is Mercedes.
Speaking to the media after the final day of pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit, Mercedes F1 driver George Russell said:
"We know we had a mountain to climb with the form that Red Bull showed last year. For anybody to overcome that gap would be a huge test, but definitely the car is feeling nice to drive."
It seemed like Red Bull was on it right from the first day of testing when Verstappen gapped every single driver on the grid by more than a second.
Back then, Russell clarified Mercedes's focus was not at all on the lap times. But now, he suggests that he expects Red Bull to start ahead.
"Ultimately, it's down to lap times. We still haven't seen truly yet where everybody is falling out but Red Bull seem to have done a really great job again, and they are no doubt the favourites… 100%."
Red Bull introduced a car that surprised everyone. The team decided to go for a more risky design that reminded the failed concept of Mercedes's W13 and W14, but it seems they could make it work during the three days of testing. Russell added:
"They're definitely a step ahead of everybody else here in Bahrain. They've had an impressive winter, no doubt, but that was to be expected. [They're] such an impressive team and outfit and we need to see where we fall out in the coming races."
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